The fertility rates in many regions across Vietnam increased in 2020 and 2021 due to the impacts of COVID-19 lockdowns, according to Nguyen Doan Tu, director general of the General Department of Population and Family Planning under the Ministry of Health.

The regions with higher fertility rates include both those with a pre-pandemic birth rate below the replacement level and those above it.

In rural areas, the average number of children per woman rose to 2.29 in 2020 from 2.11 in 2010.

Notably, the corresponding figure for the densely-populated Red River Delta shot up from 2.04 to 2.34 during the ten-year period.

Ho Chi Minh City, which had reported a fertility rate of 1.35 children per woman in 2017, the lowest for the country, also saw the average number of children per woman go up to 1.48 in 2021.

The southern metropolis is projected to hit a fertility rate of 1.6 children per woman by 2030.

The increase in fertility rates is attributed to couples having more time together during COVID-19 lockdowns, according to Tu.

The population official added that the situation, however, is “short-term” and “of no great concern.”

The General Department of Population and Family Planning also unveiled recent results from a survey conducted by hospitals showing that there are 200,000-250,000 abortions in Vietnam every year.

However, the department believes the actual number is much higher, blaming the increasing average age of first marriage and the declining average age of first intercourse.

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