Catalina Espinosa
Research expert covering society, economy, and politics for Europe and the EU
Urbanization in Vietnam - statistics & facts
The Doi Moi, the economic reforms implemented in the 1980s, has led to rapid economic growth in Vietnam. Considered one of the development success stories worldwide, Vietnam has consistently been among the nations with the highest GDP growth in the Asia Pacific region in recent years, even during the COVID-19 pandemic. The urbanization that accompanied its development progress has created concentrated labor markets and economic activities that fostered prosperity. While almost two-thirds of Vietnam remained rural, the urban population has been growing significantly, reaching over 36 percent in 2019. Parallel to decreasing employment in the agriculture sectors, more and more people are moving to the cities in hopes of higher living standards, better income, and more availability of jobs. According to forecasts, the urban population of Vietnam will surpass the rural population by 2050.
