The General Statistics Office of Vietnam in Hanoi on December 31 held a press conference to announce socio-economic statistics in 2009 and the results of the general inspection of population and housing.
Deputy Minister of Planning and Investment Nguyen Duc Hoa summed up the results of carrying out the plan for socio-economic development this year nationwide in 3 aspects: preventing economic decline, keeping the macro economic stable and ensuring social welfare.
Although the economic growth rate in 2009 reached 6 percent, which was lower than in the previous year, it surpasses the set goal of 5.32 percent.
For whole year, total production increased by 5 percent against last year, the agriculture, forestry and aquaculture sector was up 2 percent, the industry and construction was up 5 percent and services, up 7 percent.
Mr. Hoa emphasised that despite a fall in foreign investments, domestic capital has been mobilised to reach VND704,200 billion by the end of this year.
A population and housing survey showed that by April 1, 2009 the country had nearly 44 million people of working age, accounting for over 51 percent of the total population and its average life expectancy reached 73 years old, 3.7 years old longer for men and 5.5 years for women. Besides, only 5 in every 10,000 households could not afford any houses.
