Vietnam has modified its Population Law, eliminating the restriction limiting families to two children. The change addresses a declining birth rate of 1.91 children per woman, signaling a concerning shift below replacement levels. Despite the loosening of these regulations, many families express concerns over the cost of raising children, estimating expenses could reach 10 to 20 million Vietnamese dong ($380 to $760) monthly until age 22. This demographic challenge could affect Vietnam's working-age population in the coming years, with rising costs influencing family planning decisions.
"I don't know what to think of this new law," says Tran Phuong Mai, a 42-year-old housewife in Hanoi. "It may be a good thing, but in our case, it's a little too late."
Sociologists echo concerns about costs, estimating that raising a child from birth to age 22 costs 10 to 20 million Vietnamese dong ($380 to $760) per month, which impacts decisions on family size.
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