The monograph on “Sex imbalances at birth in Viet Nam: Trends, Variations, and Determinants”, developed using the data from the 2019 and 2009 Population and Housing Censuses and from other sources, was a continuation to previous analyses conducted on sex
imbalances at birth in Viet Nam.

The data analysis showed that despite the high sex ratio at birth in Viet Nam, i.e., 111.5 boys per 100 girls, the previously observed surge in the sex ratio at birth appears to be levelling off. Another finding was that compared to the natural sex ratio at birth (105 boys per 100 girls), there were 45,900 girls, representing 6.2 per cent of the total number of girls born. The analysis also highlighted the regional and population group differentials in the sex ratio at birth as well as the correlation between social, economic, and demographic factors and sex imbalances at birth in Viet Nam. It particularly helps us to better understand not only son preference and
its manifestation through reproductive behaviors, but also the spread of such practice among different population groups.

The study, in addition, pointed out that sex imbalances are inevitable in the future even if the sex ratio at birth were restored to normal in the next 15 years. The monograph also provides recommendations to respond to gender-biased sex selection and sex imbalances at birth in Viet Nam, to continue to monitor the sex ratio at birth, and continue to generate further evidence on social changes and its impact on son preference, thus identifying factors which drive genderbiased sex selection among Vietnamese families.

Click here to download the Factsheet on “Sex imbalances at birth in Viet Nam: Trends, Variations, and Determinants” in English

Click here to download the monograph on “Sex imbalances at birth in Viet Nam: Trends, Variations, and Determinants” in English