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Economic growth, inequality, and poverty in Vietnam

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  • Cuong V. Nguyen
  • Nguyet M. Pham

Abstract

This study examines how poverty reduction has been associated with economic growth and inequality in Vietnam. It finds that although the speed of poverty reduction was lower in the 2000s than in the 1990s, economic growth was more pro†poor in the latter period. During the 1993–98 period, expenditure inequality increased and the poverty reduction during this period was mainly caused by economic growth. During the 2004–08 period, however, expenditure inequality decreased, thereby contributing to poverty reduction. The poverty incidence declined by around 5 percentage points, of which expenditure growth and redistribution contributed 2.8 and 2.2 percentage points of poverty reduction, respectively.

Suggested Citation

  • Cuong V. Nguyen & Nguyet M. Pham, 2018. "Economic growth, inequality, and poverty in Vietnam," Asian-Pacific Economic Literature, The Crawford School, The Australian National University, vol. 32(1), pages 45-58, May.
  • Handle: RePEc:bla:apacel:v:32:y:2018:i:1:p:45-58
    DOI: 10.1111/apel.12219
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    1. Dang, Hai-Anh & Dhongde, Shatakshee & Do, Minh N.N. & Nguyen, Cuong Viet & Pimhidzai, Obert, 2023. "Rapid Economic Growth but Rising Poverty Segregation: Will Vietnam Meet the SDGs for Equitable Development?," IZA Discussion Papers 15916, Institute of Labor Economics (IZA).
    2. Ho, Manh-Toan, 2020. "The rise of research on development economics in Vietnam: Analyses and implications for the public and policymakers from SSHPA 2008-2020 dataset," Thesis Commons msy6e, Center for Open Science.
    3. , Aisdl, 2020. "The rise of research on development economics in Vietnam: Analyses and implications for the public and policymakers from SSHPA 2008-2020 dataset," OSF Preprints 9nbyr, Center for Open Science.
    4. Thi Kim Thanh Bui & Guido Erreygers, 2020. "Multidimensional Inequality in Vietnam, 2002–2012," Economies, MDPI, vol. 8(2), pages 1-31, April.
    5. Balasubramanian, P. & Burchi, F. & Malerba, D., 2023. "Does economic growth reduce multidimensional poverty? Evidence from low- and middle-income countries," World Development, Elsevier, vol. 161(C).
    6. Manh-Toan Ho & Ngoc-Thang B. Le & Manh-Tung Ho & Quan-Hoang Vuong, 2022. "A bibliometric review on development economics research in Vietnam from 2008 to 2020," Quality & Quantity: International Journal of Methodology, Springer, vol. 56(5), pages 2939-2969, October.
    7. Dang, Trang Huyen & Nguyen, Cuong Viet & Phung, Tung Duc, 2022. "Trends and Drivers of Inequality: Recent Evidence from Vietnam," GLO Discussion Paper Series 1067, Global Labor Organization (GLO).
    8. Van Le, Dao & Tran, Tuyen Quang, 2022. "Does the private sector increase inequality? Evidence from a transitional country," Structural Change and Economic Dynamics, Elsevier, vol. 62(C), pages 451-466.

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