UNFPA Warns Subsidies Alone Cannot Fix Vietnam's Birth Gender Imbalance

Vietnam's birth sex ratio is currently skewed, with 110 boys born for every 100 girls, exceeding the natural rate of 104-106. In response, the Ministry of Health is considering a proposal to allow local authorities to offer incentives such as tuition waivers, health insurance, and school milk programs to families with two daughters. However, Matt Jackson, Country Representative for the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) in Vietnam, cautioned that while well-intentioned, such subsidies alone cannot address the deep-rooted causes of the gender imbalance at birth. A joint report by UNFPA and the General Statistics Office reveals a paradox: the sex ratio among the wealthiest 20% of households is 112.9 boys per 100 girls, compared to 108.2 among the poorest. Furthermore, couples with college degrees are twice as likely to practice sex selection as those with only primary education. "Money itself is not the core cause," Jackson stated, emphasizing that affluent families are equally prone to sex selection. He warned that financial aid, while easing the burden of raising children, does not guarantee cultural shifts. The primary risk lies in the messaging of such policies. Poorly framed public communication could inadvertently reinforce the harmful perception that girls are less valuable, framing state aid as "compensation" for having daughters. Jackson recommended investing directly in healthcare, education, and growth opportunities for girls, arguing that this approach provides tangible benefits and sends a clear societal signal of equal worth for both daughters and sons. He cited South Korea's experience, where systemic reforms expanding women's opportunities and legal changes helped normalize the birth sex ratio after a ban on prenatal sex determination. "To truly curb fetal sex selection, we must build an environment where girls are genuinely valued and allowed to develop as equals," Jackson concluded.