Vietnam is targeting a natural sex ratio at birth, aiming for approximately 106 boys for every 100 girls by 2035, according to a draft plan released by the Ministry of Health. The plan seeks to address the country's persistent skew towards male births, which has been among the highest in Asia.
The draft proposes a phased approach, targeting a reduction to below 109 boys per 100 girls by 2030 before reaching the natural level by 2035. The current ratio stood at 110 boys per 100 girls in 2025, down from a peak of 114.8 in 2018.
To achieve this goal, the ministry suggests stricter enforcement of laws prohibiting fetal sex selection, enhanced monitoring of medical facilities and online advertisements for such services, and public awareness campaigns. The imbalance is attributed to a deep-seated preference for sons, pressure to produce male heirs, shrinking family sizes, and increased access to prenatal sex identification technologies.
The ministry warned that a prolonged surplus of men could lead to significant long-term demographic and social challenges, including difficulties in the marriage market, increased gender inequality, gender-based violence, trafficking, and broader threats to social stability.