Vietnam to Integrate Population Targets into Socio-Economic Development Plans

At a specialized conference on population work for 2026, Do Xuan Tuyen, Deputy Minister of Health, instructed provincial Departments of Health to proactively advise on integrating population targets into the resolutions for local socio-economic development. He emphasized that this should be considered a crucial condition for addressing challenges related to low birth rates and population aging. This directive aligns with the conclusions reached by General Secretary and President To Lam regarding the quality of the labor force, sustainable job creation solutions, and human resource training. Vietnam is currently experiencing a "demographic dividend" with a relatively young population structure, but it is entering a "demographic transition" phase characterized by declining birth rates and a concurrently aging population. This raises concerns about future labor shortages and increased burdens on social security systems. Consequently, the importance of forward-looking population policies is growing. Furthermore, the conference touched upon expanding preferential policies and support for learners from ethnic minorities, particularly those with very small populations. This reflects Vietnam's status as a nation with a diverse ethnic composition and its commitment to ensuring equal development opportunities for all citizens. Vietnam's policy management, which aims for sustainable socio-economic development by simultaneously managing economic growth and demographic shifts, is drawing attention.