Not sexy : Vietnam’s worsening gender imbalance

Vietnam’s gender imbalance at birth is worsening, with the northern province of Bac Ninh reporting a ratio of 119.6 boys for every 100 girls.

Globally, the gender ratio at birth is typically 104-106 boys per 100 girls, and, when it exceeds 106, indicates a deviation from the natural order often due to intentional interventions.

Between 2021 and 2024 the average rates in Vietnam were 109.5 (for two consecutive years), 109.7, and 110.7, consistently worse than the natural standard.

This data was released in Vietnam’s first national census on civil status published at the end of April.

It covered the period from 2021 to 2024, and was compiled by the General Statistics Office of Vietnam with support from the United Nations Population Fund and the Vietnam Public Health Organization.

« This imbalance can affect natural population dynamics, threatening the stability of the nation and the world, » the report warned.

The imbalance has been revealed by annual population surveys in the past, and remains unresolved despite various policies to address the issue.

« Clearly, despite the government’s efforts to reduce gender selection during pregnancy, the imbalance in gender at birth has not improved, and has even worsened in the last two years, » the GSO said.

The report also showed the imbalance is primarily in the northern provinces, particularly the Red River Delta, with 10 out of 11 localities reporting a ratio above 110.

Bac Ninh was followed by Vinh Phuc (118.5), Hanoi (118.1) and Hung Yen (116.7).

Some mountainous provinces such as Bac Giang (116.3), Son La (115), Lang Son (114.5), and Phu Tho (113.6) also reported high ratios.

In contrast, the southern area had ratios closer to natural levels or just slightly higher of 105 to 108.

« One solution to address the gender imbalance at birth is to focus on policies in the northern regions rather than implementing broad, nationwide measures, » the GSO recommended.

Mai Xuan Phuong, deputy director of communication and education at the Department of Population, said many people still prefer sons even as the birth rate now stands at 1.91 children per woman as against the replacement rate of 2.1.

Many families, when deciding to have only one child, go to great lengths to have a male, she said.

The necessity to have sons to continue the family line and worship ancestors, and the undervaluation of women in families and society contribute to the situation, she said.

The easy access to medical services for gender diagnosis and selection leads to abortion based on gender, she added.

Deputy Minister of Health Tran Van Thuan, speaking at the launch of the National Action Month for Population 2024 on Dec. 10 last year, warned that Vietnam is facing issues such as « declining birth rates, excess males, and a shortage of females. »

If the imbalance remains high, by 2034 Vietnam will have 1.5 million more men than women in the 15-49 age group, and this number will increase to 1.8 million by 2059, he said.

To address the issue, the government has set a goal of bringing the gender ratio at birth to natural levels of below 109 boys per 100 girls by 2030.

Experts pointed to the need to change public attitudes and behaviors, and have policies to enhance the roles and status of women and girls in families, communities and society.

Strict enforcement of laws to control gender imbalance at birth is necessary, along with encouraging families to have two children, particularly daughters, to balance the gender ratio, they said.

By Le Nga – VnExpress.net – May 7, 2025