Though her memory has weakened, she remembered giving birth to her six children, who altogether have 45 grandchildren in-laws and 60 great-grandchildren.

During the war years, three of her sons went to the battlefield and fortunately all returned safely. Her six children married early, with each child having 3-5 children, and each of their grandchildren had 2-3 more. During death anniversaries or Tet holidays, the five-generation family gathers, setting up 10 banquet tables.

Looking at her large family, May smiled: “Some of my grandchildren remain single, saying they want to enjoy life and don’t have to spend time to care for children. Others are married, but don’t want to have more children, saying ‘How can we afford to raise them?’” 

A revolution in population control 

In 1945, Vietnam’s population was just over 20 million, with an average life expectancy of 38. War, famine, and disease caused many deaths.

By 1960, the population had grown by over 10 million. On average, each woman gave birth to 6.39 children, with many families having 10 children, guided by the common belief that “heaven provides for those it creates.” Many women under 30 had 7-8 children, and some gave birth 20-26 times, severely impacting their health, life expectancy, and work capacity.

In December 1961, the state introduced the policy of “guided childbirth,” marking the start of population and family planning efforts, one of the earliest in Asia. From 1961 to 1975, the population policy aimed for each family to have three children.

By 1975, Vietnam’s population had reached nearly 48 million, with each woman giving birth to an average of 5.25 children. Maternal and infant mortality rates were high.

After national reunification, with high birth rates and population growth outpacing economic development, population policies were intensified. The state called on each couple to have only 1-2 children. As a result, the fertility rate in 1989-1991 dropped to 3.8 children per woman.

In the 1990s, village population collaborators ‘came to every household’ to promote, advocate, and provide contraceptives. The slogan “each family should have 1-2 children” permeated every household and individual.

During this period, village regulations and cultural family or community criteria included population control as a strict requirement. Communities that complied were rewarded; violators were penalized or lost recognition. Party members who had a third child could even face disciplinary action.

By 2006, Vietnam achieved replacement-level fertility for the first time, with each woman giving birth to 2.09 children on average. Subsequently, the two-child family model became common and standard. Since 2014, the slogan “each family should have two children” has been prevailing.

Prof Nguyen Dinh Cu, former Director of the Institute of Population and Social Issues under the National Economics University, commented that childbirth in Vietnam has shifted from instinct to planned, responsible behavior; from passive to proactive, from high-quantity low-quality births to low-quantity high-quality births.

“If the fertility rate of 7 children per woman in 1961 had continued, Vietnam’s population would have exceeded 192 million by 2019, twice as much as the actual figure, and was projected to reach 400 million by 2060. The change in mindset has helped control population growth and contributed to sustainable development.”

The veteran population expert also noted that the generation currently at peak reproductive age is those under 35. Born after the 1986 Doi Moi (reform), during a time of strong family planning policies, they also grow up in the era of 4.0, the internet, and global integration, with access to abundant information. They no longer desire many children.

According to his survey, 85 percent of respondents felt psychological pressure when having children. In terms of benefits, having children no longer brings significant economic advantages as it once did. Parents have pensions, and the elderly live independently. Emotional benefits also don’t necessarily come from having many children. Many families feel that 1-2 children are enough.

Pressure from low fertility rates

Statistics show that since 2018, fertility rates have dropped significantly below replacement level. By 2024, Vietnam’s fertility rate had reached a record low of 1.91 children per woman, or less than a third of the 6.39 children per woman over six decades ago. The population growth rate also fell from 3.9 percent in 1960 to 0.8 percent in 2024.

“The fertility rate will continue to decline,” warned Health Minister Dao Hong Lan, highlighting that population challenges will “impact the country’s sustainable development.”

Vo Thu