The Ministry of Health yesterday launched a National Action Month on Population themed “Maintaining proper birth rate – For the country’s growth and sustainability” in Hanoi.
Deputy Minister of Health Nguyen Viet Tien said that after 50 years carrying out the policies on population and family planning, Vietnam has achieved remarkable results.
The average number of children for couples of reproductive ages reduced from 6.4 babies in 1960 to 2.1 babies in 2013. Population growth rate also reduced to 1.05 per cent last year compared to 3.5 in 1960. The average life expectancy increased from 40 in 1960 to 73 in 2013.
Vietnam entered the golden population structure with over 62 million people in the labor age and 10.5 percent of the population of over 60 years old.
Mr. Tien said that according to the United Nation Organization’s prediction, if the birth rate increases, it will cause pressure on health care, education, employment rate and socioeconomic growth. However, if the birth rate decreases, more aging senior people will also badly influence on the country’s development.
