Vietnam has announced plans to reduce its sex ratio at birth to the natural level of about 106 boys for every 100 girls by 2035, according to a draft plan from the Ministry of Health.

Proposed Measures

The draft plan proposes stricter enforcement of laws banning fetal sex selection, stronger inspections of medical facilities, and greater monitoring of online advertising for sex-selection services. Public campaigns will also be implemented to challenge long-standing preferences for sons.

The ministry attributes the imbalance in Vietnam’s sex ratio to a persistent preference for sons, pressure to produce male heirs, shrinking family sizes, and easier access to prenatal sex-identification technologies.

A prolonged surplus of men could create long-term demographic and social pressures, including difficulties in the marriage market, rising gender inequality, gender-based violence, trafficking in women and girls, and broader challenges to social stability.

Original reporting: Appleton, WI News Feed (HLL/CB) — read the source article.