Vietnam is paying women to have more babies—but there’s a catch: they have to be on baby no. 2 to qualify for the cash bonus

Vietnam is offering women cash bonuses to have a second child under 35 to address declining fertility rates, with payments starting at VND 2 million ($75.86) per child. The policy includes extended maternity leave and healthcare support but excludes clarity on incentives for third or fourth children or age requirements for men. The country’s fertility rate fell to 1.91 in 2024, below replacement level.