YOUTHFULNESS OF VIETNAM'S POPULATION

Vietnam's average age, at 26, is 6 years below the average age in China, at 32, and 5 years below the average age in Thailand, at 31.  . This has interesting demographic implications insofar as Vietnam’s relatively younger workforce is likely to be a catalyst for sustained high rates of GDP growth over coming years.

EDUCATION LEVELS IN THE REGION

Vietnam is approximately at a similar level with China, Thailand and Indonesia regarding primary education, with each country having a literacy rate of around 90% and 10-12 years of average expected education for the current young generation.

Cambodia and Laos are notably behind these other counties, with around 2 years less of education and notably lower literacy rates in the 66% to 69% range. Based on anecdotal evidence that we’ve encountered, we believe that this has negative implications in terms of worker productivity, and the availability of capable managers, in Laos and Cambodia compared to these other countries.