The city is stepping up efforts to improve population quality as it faces low fertility and an ageing society. Understanding this shift helps readers see how health policies can shape a city’s economic future.

The city’s fertility rate is 1.51 children per woman in 2026, placing it among the 13 Vietnamese localities with the lowest fertility rates. After an administrative merger in July 2025, the population exceeds 14 million, making it Vietnam’s most populous urban centre.

Prenatal and newborn screening rates consistently exceed 85 %, and average life expectancy has reached 76.7 years, higher than the national average of 74.7 years. These health achievements indicate a relatively healthy population, which can support a productive workforce.

Nguyen Tang Minh, deputy director of the municipal Department of Health, asserted that population quality is key to socio‑economic development, workforce quality, and long‑term sustainability. The city is promoting measures such as pre‑marital health screening and integrated communication services to improve population quality.

Improving population quality is presented as essential for Ho Chi Minh City’s continued growth amid low fertility and an ageing population. The city’s policies aim to ensure a healthier, more capable generation that can drive future prosperity.