On July 1, Vietnam's first Population Law took effect, introducing a range of measures aimed at encouraging couples to have more children.
Women in targeted groups will receive a minimum childbirth subsidy of about €66 ($75).
Female employees who give birth to a second child are now entitled to seven months of maternity leave, up from six, while paternity leave for fathers whose wives have a second child has doubled to 10 working days.
Subsidies for prenatal and newborn screening will initially be offered to targeted groups before expanding nationwide in January. Families with at least two biological children may also receive priority access to social housing.
The law follows Vietnam's decision last year to scrap its longstanding two-child policy. However, reversing demographic trends will not be easy. Vietnam's fertility rate dropped to a record low of 1.91 children per woman in 2024, well below the replacement level of around 2.1.
