Vietnam has a massive problem, and no, it’s not the traffic chaos or street food wrecking your diet. This one’s far more urgent: Vietnam’s birth rate is plummeting, and if nothing changes, the country could face an economic nightmare—too many elderly, not enough young workers, and a shrinking workforce to sustain growth.

Sounds dramatic? It should. Vietnam’s population is aging fast, and this could cripple Vietnam’s economy in ways few are prepared for. The question is: how did we get here, and can Vietnam stop the decline before it’s too late?

A Quick Ride Through History

Let’s speed through Vietnam’s modern history as fast as a motorbike on a sidewalk. Back in the 1950s, after booting out the French, Vietnam was a rural society where big families were the norm—because more kids meant more hands to work the fields. Then came the Vietnam War, and by the mid-1970s, the population had hit around 50 million.

When the war ended, boom—literally. The Post-War Baby Boom exploded, with families having five, six, even eight kids. Why? Cheap living costs, zero sex education, traditional values, and, let’s be honest, no Netflix. More kids meant more workers, and rebuilding Vietnam felt like a national duty.

By the late 1980s, the population surged toward 65–70 million. Then came Doi Moi—Vietnam’s economic reform that said, “Let’s do capitalism, but still call it socialism.” Rapid urbanization and strict family planning followed. A third child? That could cost you job promotions and government perks. The result? Birth rates crashed from 4–5 kids per woman to 2.1—just enough to replace the population.

Fast forward to today: Vietnam’s population is pushing 100 million, but babies are disappearing fast.

What Happens Next?

Vietnam’s economy thrives on a young, growing workforce, but what happens when that workforce starts shrinking? Can Vietnam reverse this trend before it spirals into crisis? Stick around—because the answer might shock you!