Experts are worried about the possibility of a population boom and birth gender inequality among newborns in Vietnam.
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| The ratio of males to females in Vietnam is 110.5 to 100 in Vietnam (Illustrative photo by: M.Huong) |
At a press conference on July 2nd, on the occasion of “World Population Day”, Dong Ba Huong, Director of the Department of Population and Labour Statistics under the General Statistics Office of Vietnam said that the number of reproductive aged women (from 14 to 49) is growing rapidly.
In 1989, Vietnam had only 17 million reproductive aged women. Ten years later, the number was 22 million and there were 26 million in 2009. This is the main reason why experts are worried about a population boom in Vietnam, unless a population policy is followed strictly.
Another concern of experts is birth gender inequality among newborns, which has reached alarming levels in 5 out of 6 areas of Vietnam. The ratio of males to females is 109.7 to 100 in the top half and coast of the Central area. The ratio is 109.9 to 100 in the Southeast area and the Cuu Long River Delta. Notably, the Red River Delta has the highest ratio of 115.5 males to 100 females.
Duong Quoc Trong, General Director of the General Office for Population and Family Planning under the Ministry of Health, said that although the gender inequality ratio in Vietnam was lower than China and India, it was increasing rapidly, especially for the past 5 years. It’s estimated that the ratio would be 115 males per 100 females by the year 2015 if Vietnam did not come up with timely solutions.
Experts shared the common opinion that it is important to change the male chauvinism on giving birth among public.
