Communism, Poverty, and Demographic Change in North Vietnam

Bibliographic Data

ID4121064
AuthorsJohn Bryant (0000-0002-4743-1276, corresponding author)
Year1998
Volume24
Issue2
Pages235
Publication date1998-06-01
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessNo
TypeARTICLE
VenuePopulation and Development Review (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 0098-7921 • E-ISSN: 1728-4457
PublisherJSTOR (PUBLISHER)
DOI10.2307/2807973
OpenAlexW1981429732
LanguageEN
Citations received14
References cited26

This article reviews trends in mortality fertility and economic development in North Viet Nam. It discusses institutional changes brought about by communism and socialist market institutions and their impact on declines. Mortality estimates are based on Hirschman et al.s backward projections based on 1991 Viet Nam Life History Survey data on deaths of kin and the 1989 census. Other reliable data were obtained from the 1991 5% Sample Report and the 1994 Intercensal Demographic Survey. The author concludes that primary health care (PHC) improved during the 1950s-70s under communist development strategies. However income stagnated. The shift in the late 1970s and 1980s to market mechanisms promoted economic growth and rising incomes but the health sector continued to deteriorate. Fertility and mortality continued to decline due to the ability to afford medicine. Food productivity was higher. Infant mortality declined to 44/1000 in 1989-93. Fertility declined to 3.1 in 1994. During 1960-75 North Viet Nams leaders modernized by establishing a state administration of the economy collectivization of agriculture and heavy industry. PHC emphasized community involvement simple technologies and selective use of traditional medicine. Villagers were exposed to the rudiments of reading writing and hygiene. The war forced people to delay childbearing. In 1963 family planning promotion urged couples to have 2-3 children. Communism suppressed the growth of enterprises that required large families. State sector jobs that required education offered upward mobility. The demand for children changed

Communism · Development economics · Economic growth · Economics · Geography · Political science · Politics · Poverty · Vietnamese History and Culture Studies

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