VietNamNet Bridge - Every year, Vietnam has around 300,000 abortions, the highest number in the region and the fifth in the world.

The figure was released at the meeting commemorating the World Population Day with the theme "Pregnancy in Adolescence," held in Ho Chi Minh City on July 11.

According to the UN Population Fund, the birth rate in adolescence in Vietnam is 46/1,000, higher than some countries in Southeast Asia.

The Family Planning Association of Vietnam reported that annually, there are about 300,000 abortions (abortions by juvenile account for 20 percent), the highest in Southeast Asia and the 5th in the world. The situation of abortion tends to increase in recent years.

In HCM City, abortion tens to reduce but abortion in adolescence increases. In 2010, only 2 percent of the total abortions were minors but the rate was 4 percent in the last two year, approximately 3,000 cases per year.

Ms. To Thi Kim Hoa, Head of the HCM City Department of Population – Family Planning, said the total number of births in the January-May period of 2013 in the city decreased by 15 percent compared to the same period last year. The boy/girl rate at birth is 100/108, lower than other provinces.

Mai Lan