Demographics
The estimated population of Viet Nam rose to 84 155 800 people in 2006, 49.1% of them males. The population density is 252 persons per square kilometres, with most (73%) of the population living in rural areas. Over the past few years, Viet Nam has witnessed a gradual change in its population structure. In 2006, the percentage of the population aged 0-14 was 26.4%, a decrease of 8.6% in comparison with 1999. However, the proportion of those over 64 years increased rapidly (by 11%) over the same six-year period. The ageing trend in the population is remarkable.
Viet Nam has 54 different ethnic groups, with the Kinh representing 87% of the total population. The rest are ethnic minorities scattered all over the country, mostly in mountainous and remote areas. Population migration is an important factor in rural-urban population growth differentials. The General Statistics Office survey on migration and family planning indicates that substantial spontaneous migration has been taking place and that migrants from rural to urban areas are numerous.
In 2006, life expectancy at birth was 69 for males and 74 for females. In the same year, the population growth rate was 1.25% per annum, while the total fertility rate decreased from 2.33 in 1999 to 2.1 in 2006, reaching the replacement level fertility. In 2006, the crude birth rate was 17.4 per 1000 population and the crude death rate was 5.3 per 1000 population. Population migration is another important factor in population growth.
The maternal mortality ratio was 130 per 100 000 live births in 1990. By 2006 the ratio had fallen to 75.1 per 100 000 live births. However, the MDG target of 32.5 maternal deaths per 100 000 live births by the year 2015 is a real challenge and will require drastic efforts.
The under-five mortality rate was 55.4% in 1990 but fell by more than half to 26.0% by 2006. In order to achieve the MDG goal of 18.4% by 2015, however, progress must be accelerated.
Political situation
Viet Nam is a socialist republic and one-party state governed by the Communist Party of Viet Nam. The National Assembly is designated the highest representative body of the people and is the only organ with constitutional and legislative power.
Beyond central government, the People’s Committees at different levels are responsible for daily administration at the local level. Mass organizations, such as the Women’s Union, the Farmers’ Union and the Youth Union, exist to serve the interests of the population and to act as a link between the people and the Party.
Although the political system is stable, the country’s senior leaders have raised concerns on a number of occasions about lack of transparency, administrative inefficiency and corruption. Steps have been taken to strengthen open public debate and effective rule of law from the central to local level.
Socioeconomic situation
Vietnamese authorities have moved to implement a free-market economy with socialist orientation, to modernize the economy and to produce more competitive, export-driven industries. This has led to a strong gross domestic product (GDP) growth rate. Major economic achievements in the period 2001-2005 included, among others, a high level of economic growth, averaging 7.2% per year; comprehensive development; the solution of many social problems, especially hunger eradication and poverty reduction; and the improvement of people’s living standards.
In 2000, the GDP per capita was only about US$ 400. It then increased to US$ 562 in 2004, higher than the mean for the lower-income-country group (US$ 530 per capita). By 2006, it stood at US$ 722, representing an 80% increase in comparison with 2000. It is expected that, by 2010, GDP will be 2.1 times higher, equivalent to US$ 1050-1100 in real terms.
The General Statistics Office defines the poverty line in terms of average expenditure per capita per month. Using this definition, the poverty rate fell from 37.4% in 1998 to 16% in 2006. Poverty is concentrated in rural areas (20.4%).
During 2001-2005, the economy created jobs for about 7.5 million workers. In 2005, 43 million people, about 52% of the population, were employed. The proportion of unemployed working -age people declined from 6.4% in 2001 to 5.3 % in 2005. It is planned that, by 2010, 8 million workers will be employed, reducing unemployment to 5%, and that farming will only involve 50% of the labour force.
Access to safe water and sanitation has also improved. In 2006, 92% of the population had access to an improved water source and 65% had access to improved sanitation.
About 21 000 tons of solid hospital waste is discharged each year from hospitals, sanatoriums and other health facilities. In the period from 1998 to 2002, there was considerable government investment in hospital waste treatment and disposal, mostly in the form of incinerators.
Air pollution sources include industry, traffic, construction, traditional handicrafts, forest fires, and households. Of the facilities that pollute severely, 13% are cement factories, traditional handicraft villages using coal and wood, and waste collection facilities. In urban areas, traffic is the main cause of air pollution (70%)
Vulnerabilities and hazards
In 2005, Viet Nam was affected by five major floods and four typhoons or tropical storms. A number of other rare natural disasters, such as a tornado, droughts, landslides and a forest fire also occurred.
During the period from 2000 to 2005, between 128 and 591 deaths were caused by natural disasters annually, with a cumulative total of 1815 deaths over the six years. There were 594 recorded injuries from such disasters, although the actual figure might be higher. In total, those affected by disasters numbered from 403 000 to 5 million. The need to provide epidemic prevention and first aid as well as maintain basic health services when natural disasters occur poses a very great challenge.