The results of the 2009 census have been released showing two major trends.
The findings reveal that the majority of Vietnamese people who migrate, do so for work, and the percentage of people living in households of 15 square metres or less out of the whole population of Vietnam, has changed very little in the last 10 years.
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| Housing is still in high demand. (Illustrative photo) |
The results, released yesterday, are from a survey conducted by the Central Housing and Population Census Steering Committee.
According to the report, from 2004 to 2009, the number of migrants increased by 2.2 million compared to the period from 1994 to 1999. The distances migrated also increased.
The numbers indicate how Vietnam’s rapid development and expansive labour market have impacted the population’s migration movements in the last 10 years. Job opportunities remain the number one reason that people migrate.
Migration is directly tied to the country’s economic development. 2004 to 2009 was a period that saw a major rise of industrial parks, processing and manufacturing zones being constructed across the country. Skilled labour forces came into high demand as well. The opportunity for better jobs and living conditions lured people to big cities.
The survey also showed that there has been a clear shift among economic sectors over the last 10 years. To date, the group of agriculture, forestry and aquaculture has taken up 51.9% of the labour force, industry and construction 21.5%, and customer services 26.5%. The figures in 1999 were 69.4%, 14.9% and 15.7%.
Cities and provinces such as Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, Binh Duong and Dac Nong, were found to hold the highest number of migrants.
The average housing area per capita is 16.7 square metres, while average housing area in cities is higher than that of rural areas, which are respectively 19.2 square metres and 15.7 square metres.
Results also showed that after 10 years, the proportion of the population that buys housing and can afford 60 square metres or more has doubled, going from 24.2% to 51.5%. This is a sign of success in the government’s efforts at implementing their housing development strategy.
However, the number of people living in an area of 15 square metres or less has changed very little in the last 10 years (2.2% in 1999 and 2.4% and in 2009). According to Nguyen Tran Nam, Deputy Minister of Construction, these numbers indicate that there is still a huge demand for housing and that this is an opportunity for the real estate market to flourish.