National Report “Vietnam: An Aging Society” Released

The latest research, conducted by the University of Social Sciences and Humanities - Vietnam National University, Hanoi, and Justus Liebig Giessen University, Germany, with funding from the Hanns Seidel Foundation and in collaboration with a group of experts from various Vietnamese agencies, has confirmed that global demographic shifts have reached Vietnam, and the country is facing a new challenge – population aging. Currently, Vietnam has approximately 11.4 million people over 60 years old (nearly 12% of the population). The aging index increased from 36% in 2009 to nearly 49% in 2019. With such a rapid rate of population aging, from 2026 onwards, the proportion of people over 65 will exceed 10%, and Vietnam will also end its demographic dividend that existed since 2007, entering a worrying period of population aging. This study calls for stakeholders to adopt new approaches and integrate aging issues into the broader context of social development.

Front cover of the National Report "Vietnam: An Aging Society"

With the aim of creating a high-quality and reliable source of information for a diverse audience, the University of Social Sciences and Humanities - Vietnam National University, Hanoi, and Justus Liebig Giessen University, Germany, with funding from the Hanns Seidel Foundation, have launched a project to publish an annual National Report on Vietnam. The project will provide in-depth insights and up-to-date, independent information on key political, economic, and social issues attracting significant attention in modern Vietnamese society.

The National Report – "Vietnam: An Aging Society" comprises 9 articles, presented in both Vietnamese and English, covering the following topics:Social policy for an aging population in Vietnam, Demographic change in Vietnam, The elderly and pensions in Vietnam, Aging and health, Overview of social care in Vietnam, The role of social organizations in implementing social security policies for the elderly in Vietnam, The changing image of the elderly in Vietnam, Ethnic minorities and social policy in Vietnam, Population policy in transition and a section providing general information, publications and related events.The articles in the Report were written by leading experts in the fields of sociology, anthropology, gender, and family.

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Dao Thanh Truong (Vice Rector of the University of Social Sciences and Humanities) delivered the opening speech.

Speaking at the seminar announcing the report, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Dao Thanh Truong (Vice Rector of the University of Social Sciences and Humanities) remarked that, despite being completed in a short period of only 4 months, the "National Report – Vietnam: An Aging Society" is a quality source of information for a wide range of readers, from policymakers to representatives of international organizations, managers, and researchers. The report was produced with the participation of the University of Social Sciences and Humanities, one of the leading units in research on social sciences and humanities, and with contributions from leading scientists from units within the university (Faculty of Sociology, Faculty of International Studies, Faculty of Political Science, Faculty of Anthropology) and outside the university (Vietnam Institute of Sociology, Institute for Gender and Family Studies, Institute of Ethnology, Ministry of Education and Training).

Associate Professor Dr. Dao Thanh Truong hopes that the collaborative project between the University and the Hanns Seidel Foundation Vietnam will not only broaden understanding of the topic of population aging within the community but also provide valuable arguments for policy planning and advocacy for sustainable development recommendations in Vietnam in the future. The University also wishes to continue cooperating with the Hanns Seidel Foundation Vietnam and other German organizations in conducting research on social policy issues in Vietnam.

Mr. Michael Siegner (Head Representative of Hanns Seidel Foundation in Vietnam))opening remarks

On behalf of the Hanns Seidel Foundation in Vietnam, Mr. Michael Siegner (Chief Representative) shared that advances in health, social, and economic fields have led to increased life expectancy and decreased birth rates, shifting the global population distribution towards an aging population. Vietnam is no exception; in fact, it has the highest aging population rate in Southeast Asia. For Vietnam – an emerging economy – this process has its own significance and impacts. This is truly a major question that requires attention from all stakeholders.

Professor Pham Quang Minh (Former Rector of the University of Social Sciences and Humanities) presented a summary of the National Report "Vietnam: An Aging Society".

Next, Professor Pham Quang Minh presented a summary of the main research findings in the National Report "Vietnam: An Aging Society". The report points out three main problems facing Vietnam: demographic shifts in Vietnam are occurring faster than in other countries, meaning that the demographic dividend has not yet fully developed before population aging occurs; Vietnamese people are "getting old before they get rich," and they lack pensions and have limited financial resources to prepare for their future in old age; the availability of support services for the elderly, such as nursing homes, is quite limited, and not all elderly people have access to social care services.

The report offers several recommendations to address the issue: effectively utilizing the demographic dividend; maintaining a stable replacement fertility rate; adapting to population aging, ensuring rational population distribution, and improving population quality; implementing a national social policy shifting from "emergency assistance" to helping people become "self-helpers" and "self-protectors"; experimenting with and developing new models, coordinating efforts between social organizations, families, and market institutions to better serve the needs of the elderly in the new context.

During the discussion, experts and sociologists from universities and research institutes offered comments and contributions on the main contents of the Report, and also engaged in in-depth discussions on the issue of population aging in Vietnam, healthcare for the elderly, gender issues in an aging society, and lessons learned from other countries around the world.