A comprehensive vision for children's development towards 2045

Highlights

The Report “Children at the Heart of Viet Nam’s New Era: A Comprehensive Vision Towards 2045” sets out a strategic, evidence-based case for placing children at the centre of Viet Nam’s development pathway as the country aims to become a high-income, inclusive, and sustainable nation by 2045. With a shrinking child population and rapid ageing, the report argues that early, equitable, and sustained investments in children are essential to maximise human capital and long-term growth.

The report analyses key trends, challenges, and policy options across education, health and nutrition, water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH), social protection, and child protection, alongside cross-cutting issues such as equity, mental health, digitalisation, climate change, and privatisation. It highlights persistent disparities affecting children from ethnic minorities, rural areas, low-income households, migrants, and children with disabilities.

Grounded in a rights-based, life-cycle approach, the report presents actionable recommendations for strengthening public finance for children, building resilient and shock-responsive systems, and ensuring no child is left behind-positioning children not only as beneficiaries, but as drivers of Viet Nam’s future prosperity.