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p. 14 of 46 BACK | NEXT Moving the Poverty Reduction Agenda Forward: Priorities and Outcomes Strategic Priorities Crosscutting Strategic Themes Regional Perspectives East and Central Asia Mekong Cambodia Lao People's Republic Myanmar Thailand Viet Nam The Pacific South Asia Southeast Asia

Annual Report 2003 : Moving the Poverty Reduction Agenda Forward: Priorities and Outcomes

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Mekong

The countries in the Mekong region generally have made steady progress in poverty reduction and hunger alleviation over the past decade. Sound macroeconomic policies and growth have reduced poverty, especially in Viet Nam where the poverty rate decreased to 28.9% in 2002. Poverty, however, is still prevalent with the poorest segment representing only 6.9% of regional wealth.

The percentage below the minimum level of dietary energy consumption declined overall in the past decade, but performance varied across the region and averaged 19% in 1998–2000.

Primary school enrollment reached 89% in 1999–2000, though more efforts must be made to ensure that students complete the full course. The gains in enrollment are reflected in increased literacy rates.

The under-five and infant mortality rates declined to 56 and 43 per 1,000 live births, respectively, in 2001, compared with 67 and 50 in 1990, but greater gains must be made if the region is to achieve the MDGs. Maternal mortality rates have improved, especially in Cambodia where the rate dropped from 900 per 100,000 live births in 1990 to 437 in 2000. In the same period, Viet Nam's maternal mortality rate dropped from 160 to 100. The fight against HIV/AIDS and other diseases is important in maximizing human resources and in containing escalating costs of health care. The estimated prevalence of HIV/AIDS among 15–25-year-old women ranged from virtually nil to 3%.

The region has a rich and diverse natural resource base which has historically supported economic development and has sustained rural livelihoods. In recent years, these resources have come under increasing stress due to rapid demographic changes and unsustainable exploitation among other reasons. Forests accounted for about 41% of the land area in 2000. In 2002, 69% of the rural population and 91% of the urban population enjoyed clean water, and 82% of urban residents had access to improved sanitation.

In September 2003, Cambodia acceded to the World Trade Organization (WTO). Upon ratification, Cambodia will become one of the first least-developed countries to join the WTO through the full working party negotiation process. Accession is also envisaged for Viet Nam in the near future. Regionally, substantial progress has been made in improving the debt situation. Debt service as a percentage of exports was roughly halved (from 10.2% to 5.5%) from 1990 to 2001.

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