The General Statistics Office revealed in its April report that the average age of women giving birth was 28.4 in 2021 and increased to 28.8 by 2024. This upward trend, officials said, clearly indicates a societal shift toward delayed parenthood.

Significant differences exist among ethnic groups. Women from the Hoa and Kinh ethnic groups typically have children at ages 29.9 and 29.4, respectively; around 6-7 years later than women from ethnic minorities such as La Ha, Co Lao, La Hu and Hre.

Experts attribute these age discrepancies to variations in economic status, education levels and cultural practices. Hoa and Kinh women predominantly reside in urban areas, benefiting from higher living standards and educational opportunities, whereas ethnic minority women face greater economic and educational challenges, along with traditional pressures to have children earlier.

Vietnam’s overall birth rate currently stands at around 1.8-1.86 children per woman, well below the 2.1 needed for stable population replacement. A major factor behind this decline is delayed marriage, with the average age at first marriage now 27.3, up 2.1 years from 2019.

Mai Xuan Phuong, deputy head of communications and education at the Vietnam Population Authority, explained that economic pressures are driving couples to postpone having children. Rising living costs, unstable incomes, and rapid urbanization have significantly impacted family planning decisions.

“Rapid urbanization has increased workloads, leaving couples with less time for childcare,” said Phuong. “Concerns about housing affordability and general living expenses further push people toward delaying or even choosing not to have children.”

According to experts, falling birth rates are part of a broader global trend affecting multiple countries including Vietnam, China and Japan. To reverse this trend, they emphasize the necessity of effective supportive policies and a shift in societal perceptions toward parenting and family planning.