Full Breakdown
Vietnam’s Draft Plan to Normalize the Sex Ratio at Birth by 2035
8/17/2026, 8:31:21 PM
Plan Overview
On Aug 15, the Ministry of Health released a draft scheme for public consultation that sets a two-stage target for the national sex ratio at birth. The plan aims to bring the ratio below 109 boys per 100 girls by 2030 and to achieve the natural level of about 106 boys per 100 girls by 2035.
Background & Recent Trends
Vietnam’s sex ratio at birth has long been among the highest in Asia. The Ministry’s draft notes that the ratio was 112.2 boys per 100 girls in 2016, peaked at 114.8 in 2018, and eased to 110 in 2025. The imbalance is attributed to a persistent cultural preference for sons, pressure to produce male heirs, shrinking family sizes, and easier access to prenatal sex-identification technologies.
Proposed Measures
To meet the targets, the draft proposes:
- Stricter enforcement of existing laws that ban fetal sex selection.
- More rigorous inspections of medical facilities that provide prenatal services.
- Enhanced monitoring of online advertising for sex-selection services.
- Nationwide public-information campaigns aimed at changing son-preference attitudes.
The scheme, covering 2026-2035, has been submitted to the prime minister for approval.
Anticipated Social Implications
The Ministry warns that a prolonged surplus of men could generate long-term demographic and social pressures. Potential consequences include difficulties in the marriage market, rising gender inequality, increased gender-based violence, trafficking of women and girls, and broader challenges to social stability, the labour market, and public order.
Next Steps
The draft remains open for consultation, after which the government will decide whether to adopt the measures and formally implement the 2026-2035 programme. Continued monitoring will be required to ensure the ratio does not begin to widen again.
