A medical worker hands out advice leaflets to women in northern Ninh Binh Province's Kim Son District. — VNA/VNS Photo Duong Ngoc HA NOI — The Government plans to limit population growth so that the national population does not exceed 100 million by 2020 while the country's population is projected to continue to rise during the next decade.

The newly-issued 2010-15 Action Programme on Population and Family Planning allows for Viet Nam's population, now at 86 million, to grow by 16 per cent during the next ten years.

The plan aims to continue the policy of fostering small families, with one or at most, two children.

Viet Nam's population is also expected to stay between 115 and 120 million by 2050.

The programme aims to address the increasing gender imbalance of newborns threatening the country. The national average ratio of male/female infants is more than 112/100, with some provinces seeing an even greater imbalance at up to 135/100.

National demographic database The Government will set up a national demographic database to be managed by the Ministry of Public Security. The database, expected to provide accurate and updated demographic information, will be open to organisations and individuals who wish to access the data for legitimate purposes. The personal information of citizens, including names, photos, ID numbers, place of birth, gender, passport numbers, heath insurance card numbers, tax numbers, education backgrounds, occupations and work and home addresses, will be included and updated on the database. Part of the solution to this problem is the Ministry of Information and Communications banning the publication of any document related to selection of a baby's gender. The Health Ministry will also take action to prevent selection and forecasting of a baby's gender at invitro fertilisation centres and ultrasound clinics.

A draft decree imposing fines against population policy-related violations, which is being prepared by the Health Ministry and Ministry of Justice, will be submitted to Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung in December.

The programme's priorities also include preparations for an ageing population, expected to occur once the population boom subsides.

The programme also aims to reach human development and standard of living targets, so that Viet Nam reaches levels at medium-developed country.

An overall plan to improve population quality during the 2011-20 period is expected to be completed and submitted to the Prime Minister by the end of this month. The plan will focus on raising people's life expectancy, education and per-capita income.