State media reported on Wednesday that the communist government has officially scrapped the restriction. (image: Pixabay)

Hanoi, Vietnam: Facing a declining birth rate, Vietnam has ended its long-standing policy of limiting families to two children. State media reported on Wednesday that the communist government has officially scrapped the restriction.

Vietnam officially implemented a two-child limit on couples in 1988 as part of its population control initiatives. The decision on the number of children is now a decision for each individual couple, Vietnam News Agency said.

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During the past three years, Vietnam has experience “historically” low birth rates, with the total fertility rate dropping to just 1.91 children per woman last year, below replacement level, the Ministry of Health said this year.

From 2.11 children per woman in 2021, Vietnam’s birth rate has dropped to 2.01 in 2022 and 1.96 in 2023. This observed trend is mostly visible in urbanised, economically developed regions, particularly in big cities such as Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City cost of living is higher.

According to reports, the country is facing sex imbalances due to a historic preference for boys. To curb foetal gender selection, the Ministry of Health has, therefore, proposed tripling the current fine to $3,800, state media reports.

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Meanwhile, Deputy Health Minister Nguyen Thi Lien Huong stated at a conference earlier this year that despite policy changes and public campaigns, encouraging families to have more children was proving increasingly difficult. She further added that this declining birth rate is posing challenges to long-term socio-economic development, such as an ageing population and workforce shortages.

(With input from agencies)