Understanding poverty in our country

Scenario

Each day, while 20% of the world's population uses 80% of the world's resources, 20% of the world's population struggle to survive on less than $1 a day. Much has been written about changing this situation but what has been achieved?

Background

The Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), approved by 189 countries in 2000, set out to reduce poverty and hunger, child mortality and the spread of disease and to improve education, gender equality, maternal health, environmental sustainability and global partnerships.

The MDGs recognize that developing countries have much to do but also that developed countries can assist through trade, aid, access to essential medicines and technologies and debt relief.

In this Global Learning Quest groups will investigate poverty in a particular country through stories and statistics and progress towards meeting the MDGs. As country representatives you will address a forum on the global question: What are effective ways of reducing poverty?

Understanding poverty in our country

Vietnam

What are the recent achievements and challenges of our country?

There are lots of typhoons during May and January in the north and central areas of Vietnam are subjected. There is also a lot of flooding in the Mekong River delta. Progress has raised since the 1990’s but further reforms have led to increased expansion of industry. Poverty usually occurs in rural places where the minority of the groups have suffering women.

How does poverty affect people in our country?

Around one fifth of the population, mainly in rural areas, live below poverty line, but because of government programs such as ‘hunger eradication and poverty, have begun to improve the situation. 

How are poor people represented in the media in our country?

Government-controlled national television provider, Vietnam Television (VTV), operates a network of 9 channels with several regional broadcasting centres.

How does our government support health and education?

Government health programs are improving hygiene habits and limiting the spread of disease. The contribution of traditional medicine practices, including acupuncture, is important in health care system.

What are aid organisations doing to assist poor people in our country?

Although a vibrant and lovely country, Vietnam is among the poorest in the world. These organizations provide wonderful opportunities for adoptive parents to give back to the people of Vietnam. Volunteers and donations are needed for environmental, health, education, training, camps and many other worthwhile humanitarian projects in Vietnam. Which one would you like to support?

Children of Vietnam
Degenhardt Foundation
East Meets West Foundation
Families in Vietnam
Friendship Bridge
Kianh Foundation
Love of Vietnam Expressed
PeaceTrees Vietnam (PTV)
PLAN & PLAN International
Social Assistance Program for Vietnam (SAP-VN)
Spiral Foundation
World Wide Orphans Foundation

How does trade assist our country?

Vietnam’s major exports include crude oil, fish and seafood, rice, coffee, rubber, tea, clothes and shoes. The United States, Japan, Australia, Germany, China and Singapore are the main countries receiving these goods.

Vietnam imports machinery, petroleum products, fertilizer, steel products, raw cotton, grain and cement and motorcycles mainly from Singapore, Japan, South Korea, Taiwan, China and Thailand.

Statistics about poverty in our country

What is the average income [GDP per capita (PPP US$)]?

The average GDP per person (PPP)is, $3,100.

What is the percentage of people live below the national poverty line?

About one fifth of Vietnam’s population, mainly in rural areas live below the poverty line. In 2002, the percentage was 28.9%.

What percentage of children attends primary school?

Education is compulsory at primary level and the number of students undertaking secondary and higher education is rapidly increasing. In 2001, 94.5% attended primary school.

What percentage of adults can read (adult literacy rate)?

The adult literacy rate is high at 94%.

What percentage of people have access to clean water (access to improved drinking water source)?

Around 85% of the population have access to clean and safe water.

What percentage of people have access to sanitation?

Only 61% have access to safe sanitation. 

How old can children expect to live to (what is the life expectancy at birth)?

The average life expectancy at birth is 71 years. For males that is 69.48 years and females that is 74.69 years.

How many mobile (cellular) phones are available per 1000 people?

The amount of mobile phones is 23.4 per 1000 people.

How many internet users?

There are 24,269,083 Internet users in Vietnam which is 27.1% of the population, according to ITU.  This information was recorded in June, 2010.

What percentage of income is owned by the least wealthy 20% of households?

The lowest 10% of Vietnam’s population have just 3.6% of income.

What percentage of income is owned by the wealthiest 20% of households?

The top 10% of the population uses nearly one third of income.

How much does the government spend on health?

Government subsidies covered only about 20% of health care expenses, with the remaining 80% coming out of individuals’ own pockets.

Progress Achieving MDG’S

What progress is being made to meeting the MDG’S?

Vietnam has made very impressive progress towards achieving the MDGs and has been successful in meeting some of them – such as MDG 1 on eradication of extreme hunger and poverty – way ahead of the 2015 deadline. While overall poverty levels have dropped remarkably, wide differences still exist. For instance, more than half of ethnic minority groups still live below the poverty line. New forms of poverty are also starting to emerge. Vietnam is on track to meet several other goals.

What policies and activities are working to reduce poverty?

The Socio-Economic Development Plan (SEDP) 2006-10 is the Government of Vietnam's strategy to achieve middle income country status by 2010, which is average per capita annual income of US$ 1,050-1,100 per annum. The SEDP has four pillars: accelerating growth, promoting modern governance, strengthening the social sector and social inclusion, and better managing natural resources. It emphasises development results and the policy reforms needed to attain them.