Vietnam is among the top five countries in the world and ranks first in Southeast Asia in terms of abortion in minors, with 300,000 cases per year on average.

Demographic experts released the figures at a meeting in Ho Chi Minh City on Tuesday to mark the World Population Day (July 11).

They cited Vietnam Family Planning Association statistics as saying that 300,000 abortions are carried out in minors every year in Vietnam, accounting for 20 percent of the total number.

Sixty to 70 percent of the underage abortionists are school and college students, according to the statistics.

The figures also showed that Ho Chi Minh City has the highest abortion rate in Vietnam, particularly among adolescents whose rate rose to about four percent in 2013 from two percent in 2010. Experts attributed the worrying situation of abortion in the city in particular and the country in general to young people’s limited knowledge about reproductive health care. They advised that all local health authorities should step up the dissemination of information on reproductive health to women, particularly minors, and provide consultancy services for them to reduce the abortion rate. Experts also cited United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) statistics as warning that the birth rate among Vietnamese adolescents aged 15-19 is considered high in relation to world benchmarks: 46/1,000. Adolescent pregnancy usually brings negative consequences to underage girls, both physically and spiritually, according to the UNFPA. The World Population Day is an annual event, observed worldwide on July 11 every year, which seeks to raise awareness of global population issues. This year, the event is celebrated with the theme “Investing in Young People.”