Economic Growth, Poverty, and Household Welfare in Vietnam

In the 1970s and early 1980s, Vietnam's economic performance was dismal, and Vietnam was one of the poorest countries in the world. With the adoption of new market-oriented policies in the late 1980's, economic growth increased rapidly. Vietnam achieved an extremely high rate of economic growth in the 1990s, averaging 8% per year from 1990 to 2000. This economic growth was accompanied by a large reduction in poverty (reduced from 58% in 1993 to 37% in 1998), dramatic increases in school enrollment, and a rapid decrease in child malnutrition. 'Economic Growth, Poverty, and Household Welfare in Vietnam' examines the causes of Vietnam's economic growth and its prospects for future growth. It also examines the impact of economic growth on poverty, school enrollment, child health, and a variety of other socio-economic outcomes. Finally, it examines the nature of poverty and the impact of government policies that attempt to reduce poverty. Based on unusually rich macroeconomic and household survey data from Vietnam, this book is an important resource for development practitioners, drawing lessons for Vietnam and for other low-income developing countries.