SOCIO-ECONOMIC STATISTICS FOR THE FIRST HALF OF 2012  VIETNAM

1. Gross Domestic Products (GDP) Growth GDP in the first six months of 2012 at 1994 constant prices was estimated increasing by 4.38% from the same period in 2011, of which it rose 4.00% in 1st Quarter; and by 4.66% in 2nd Quarter. Of the economy’s general growth, the sector of agriculture, forestry and fishery rose 2.81%, contributed 0.48 point percent; the industry and construction by 3.81%, contributed 1.55 points percent; and the service by 5.57%, contributed 2.35 points percent. The low growth of GDP was due to difficulties met in production, business and consumption of goods by many economic sectors. The industry held great proportion in GDP but its growth was low. However, the economy has changed positively since 2nd Quarter, particularly for the sector of industry and construction: the value added of this sector in 1st Quarter rose only 2.94% from the same period last year, but in 2nd Quarter it rose 4.52%, of which industry rose from 4.03% to 5.40%. 2. Construction As estimated, 6 months’ constructional production value at current prices reached 283.3 trillion dongs, of which the state sector reached 42.5 trillion dongs, accounted for 15%; the non-state sector 232 trillion dongs, accounted for 81.9%; and the FDI sector 8.8 trillion dongs, accounted for 3.1%. As estimated, 6 months’ constructional production value at 1994 comparison prices reduced 0.4% from the same period last year, of which the state sector decreased by 6.8%; the non-state sector increased by 0.8% and the FDI sector by 1.5%. 3. Labor and employment The country’s labor forces aged 15 and above in 2012 were at an estimation of 52.7 million, rose 1.3 million from 2011, of which men accounted for 51.6%; women accounted for 48.4%. Laborers within the labor working age group were 47.1 million, rose 0.6 million, of which men accounted for 53.7%; women accounted for 46.3%.Laborers aged 15 and above working in the economy in 2012 were at an estimation of 51.6 million, rose 1.3 million from 2011, of which laborers working in the sector of agriculture, forestry and fishery accounted for 48.0%; in the sector of industry and construction accounted for 20.9%; and in the service sector accounted for 31.1%. Unemployment rate of laborers within the labor age group in 6 beginning months of 2012 was 2.29%, of which it was 3.62% for urban area and 1.65% for rural area. Under-employment rate of laborers within the labor age group was 3.06%, of which it was 1.92% for urban area and 3.60% for rural area. SOURCE: GENERAL STATISTICS OFFICE