One of the most serious problems faced by Vietnam, according to the Ministry of Health (MOH) is the gender imbalance at birth. It will cause serious consequences in the future, and it is not easy to narrow the gap.

What is happening?

In general, the sex ratio at birth is 104-106 males per 100 females. In Vietnam, the gender imbalance appeared and began increasing significantly in 2006. And the problem has not been solved over the last 18 years.

“It is difficult to reach the goal of forcing the sex ratio at birth to 111 males/100 males by 2025,” MOH stated in a report that reviews the impact of the Law on Population project.

Vietnam is the country with the third highest sex ratio at birth in Asia, after China and India. A report released in 2020 showed that 24 provinces/cities had a ratio below 109; while the ratios were 109-112 in 18 localities and above 112 in remaining 21 cities/provinces.

According to the Department of Population, the gender imbalance in Vietnam appeared late, but has been increasing rapidly. 

Pham Vu Hoang, Deputy Director of the Department of Population, commented that at the first birth, the difference in the number of boys and girls at birth is very high and is even higher at subsequent births.

In Hung Yen, in 2016-2023, the sex ratio at birth was 119.3/100. In 2023 alone, there were 14,700 live births and the sex ratio at birth was 120 males per 100 females. Of this, the ratio for babies born as first children was 109/100, while the ratio for babies as second children was 114/100 and third children 156/100.

Scientists have drawn up scenarios for the gender imbalance at birth in Vietnam for 2019-2069.

With the first scenario, i.e. the sex ratio at birth decreases, so about 1.3 million males at the age of 20-39 will be ‘redundant’ by 2044. The figure would be up to 1.7 million by 2049 at the age of 20-49. It may decrease gradually later, but there would still be 1.3 million males at the age of 20-49 redundant by 2069.

With the pessimistic scenario, when the sex ratio at birth remains unchanged (111 males per 100 females), the redundancy of males will continue to increase by 2069.

The lack of females at birth will certainly lead to the lack of women in the future. Similarly, the small number of redundant boys will lead to the lack of adult men in the future.

MOH said that the population structure in upcoming decades will be influenced by gender selection now, creating an unprecedented socio-demographic situation with the predominance of men for a long time. Particularly, young males may be redundant in accordance with the decrease in females of the same generation.

“Marriage pressure’, which means the number of grooms is higher than brides in the future, is the result of the sex ratio increase trend in Vietnam if it cannot be controlled.

Males may have to face difficulties when seeking life partners and may have to delay or give up marriage, thus raising the proportion of unmarried men.

Male abundance and female shortage is not just the story of fewer women to marry, according to experts. The problem may lead to other problems, such as gender-based violence, human trafficking, prostitution, political uncertainties and economic losses. 

Burning issue needs urgent solutions

Hoang pointed out that the major reason behind gender imbalance is prejudice and male chauvinism ideology which has existed for thousands of years.

Agreeing with Hoang, Tran Van Chung, deputy director of the Hanoi Health Department the gender imbalance at birth in Hanoi is always high. The imbalance has narrowed recently, but the trend is unsustainable. In 2023, the sex ratio at birth was 111.2/100. 

MOH pointed out that the rapid development of technology which allows many families to make prenatal sex selection is also a major reason behind the gender imbalance. Therefore, it has proposed imposing heavier sanctions on sex selection.

Vo Thu