VietNamNet – The population of Vietnam is increasing despite recommendations for family size, and by the end of 2005 was at 83.13mil, or 700,000 more than the 82.49mil forecast in a strategy for 2001-10.

The data was released yesterday in Hanoi at a conference reviewing population controls for 2001-05.

According to the Committee for Population, Family and Children, births will grow by 1.13mil annually at the current rate and population growth increased for the past five years consistently.

Of eight regions in the country, three have a 2.1-child limit per family, including the Red River Delta, the southeastern region and the Mekong Delta. In the Central Highlands, the recommended rate is three children.

At the conference, Prime Minister Phan Van Khai requested local governments promote the importance of population planning.

Le Ha