Under the draft law, one of the measures to sustain fertility rates is financial support for women from ethnic minority groups, women who have two children before age 35, and women living in low-fertility areas. 

Other incentives include priority access to purchase or rent social housing under housing laws for women with two children or men with two biological children whose wives have passed away.

NA deputy Nguyen Hoang Uyen from Tay Ninh noted that in reality, implementation, especially for housing support, faces major challenges due to limited resources and budget constraints, particularly in economically disadvantaged areas. 

She said current policies do not strongly emphasize the role of men in sharing childcare responsibilities. She proposed that lawmakers revise the regulations to make them more flexible, realistic, and feasible.

In addition, the deputy suggested adding more sustainable and practical policies, such as improving public and private childcare and preschool systems. Uyen emphasized that this would reduce the childcare burden on families and help women, especially working mothers, return to the labor market soon.

“The policy of reducing PIT for families with two children is a direct and highly motivating form of support that aligns with trends in some countries facing low fertility rates,” she said. 

Uyen added that this policy would not only provide financial assistance but also create favorable conditions for women to feel more secure in giving birth and raising children, contributing to population goals.

Regarding financial support for women from ethnic minority groups, the deputy urged careful consideration. In reality, fertility rates among ethnic minorities are already much higher than the national average, while their living conditions remain difficult.

Citing the 2024 socio-economic survey of 53 ethnic minority groups, Uyen noted that fertility among minority women ranges from 4 to 4.3 children per woman, more than double the national average. Infant mortality rates are five to six times higher than the national average, and around 20–24 percent of births still occur at home without medical support. 

She stressed that the core issue is not unwillingness to have children but rather poor living conditions, limited healthcare, and inadequate access to basic services.

She argued that increasing population in such conditions would not improve quality of life and could even worsen poverty, child mortality, and gender inequality.

Support for women with two children proposed

Deputy To Van Tam from Quang Ngai observed that the concept of “women who have two children before age 35” could be interpreted to mean that only these women qualify for financial support, excluding others. He questioned the rationale behind this rule.

“It may be intended to encourage childbirth within the reproductive age range to ensure future labor supply, but I find it unreasonable. It is discriminatory toward women who have two children after 35,” Tam explained.

He added that many women might wish to have children earlier but delay doing so because of career, financial, or personal circumstances. 

"This is not fair for them,” he said. “A woman who fulfills her role as a mother by having two children should not be denied support just because of her age.”

He proposed that support should apply to all women with two children, regardless of age, or that the law should authorize local governments to decide specific eligibility and support mechanisms based on their circumstances.

Another measure in the draft law to maintain replacement fertility is extending parental leave for second births: women would receive one additional month of maternity leave, while men would be entitled to five extra working days off when their wives give birth.

Earlier, on October 23, Minister of Health Dao Hong Lan, authorized by the Prime Minister, submitted the draft Population Law to the National Assembly.

According to the government’s report, from 2006 to 2021, Vietnam achieved and maintained replacement fertility levels and a suitable population growth rate, with the national population reaching 101.1 million in 2024. 

The country is currently in a “golden population period,” creating significant advantages for socio-economic development.

The draft law also proposes giving priority to women with two children, or men with two biological children who have no wife or whose wife has passed away, to purchase or rent social housing in accordance with housing laws. The government will stipulate specific details and minimum levels of financial support later.

Thu Hang