Vietnam’s population grew by 0.1 percent in the first quarter, according to figures released Monday.

The proportion of third children among the 268,000 babies born in the three months was up 1 percent from a year before.

The low rate of contraceptive use was given as one reason for the higher numbers.

Another was the insufficient number of health workers and the low pay they receive.

It’s estimated that the population of Vietnam is growing by one million a year, with a gender ratio of 112 boys to 100 girls.

Reported by Thanh Tung