Vietnam health ministry proposes cash incentives for childbirth as fertility declines

The proposal would grant eligible women a one-off payment of VND2 million (US$76) per birth, targeting groups including women in low-fertility areas, those from very small ethnic minorities, and those who have two children before age 35.

Vietnam’s fertility rate has dropped from 2.11 children per woman in 2021 to 1.91 in 2024 and 1.93 in 2025, the ministry said, complicating efforts to maintain replacement levels by 2030.

Local governments would fund the payments and could offer higher amounts depending on their budgets.

Women eligible under multiple categories would receive all applicable benefits, while those already on social assistance would continue to receive existing support.

The draft also includes subsidies for early health screening, offering VND900,000 ($34) for prenatal tests and VND600,000 ($23) for newborn screening.

Prenatal screening would focus on conditions such as Down, Edwards and Patau syndromes, and thalassemia, while newborn screening would target disorders including congenital hypothyroidism, G6PD deficiency, congenital adrenal hyperplasia, hearing loss, and heart defects.

Authorities said applications would be processed within five working days, with payments made as a lump sum within six months of childbirth.

The ministry said the measures are meant to stabilize birth rates, improve population quality, and help address gender imbalance at birth.

The draft has been open for public feedback since Monday and is expected to be submitted to the government before April 30.