Hanoi offers cash incentive to boost birth rate

Hanoi has introduced a new policy offering a one-off payment of 4 million VND (US$154) to women who give birth to two children before the age of 35. This incentive, approved by the city's People's Council, aims to boost the city's fertility rate, which has remained below the replacement level in recent years. The policy is expected to cost around US$2.33 million annually, with about 15,000 women estimated to qualify for the payment.

The decision comes as Hanoi faces mounting pressures from rising living costs and challenges related to balancing work and family life.

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