GDP vs. income gap

[ianbui@ix.netcom.com (nghia bui)]

Hi all,

One thing I haven't seen mentioned in the current discussion
on GDP is income distribution. In my opinion, the per capita 
GDP number can be very misleading because, as an average, it
masks the very real gap between the haves and have-nots. 

I do not know if any data exists which measure the current
income gap. My own feeling, which has been echoed by many
others who have visited VN at least a few times in the past
several years, is that this gap has been widening due to VN's
shift to a market economy. If this trend is confirmed, it 
certainly does not bode well for the future of VN as more 
social tensions will surely follow and we may find ourselves 
back to square one all over again.

In order to raise the quality of life for commonfolks across
all spectrum of society, it is imperative that government
policies are devised and implemented to contain and narrow
this gap. An equitable income distribution mechanism is the
true mark of a successful and civilized society, no matter 
what its total GDP or per capita GDP might be at any given
point in time. 

In my mind, creating and sustaining a prosperous middle class
is perhaps the greatest challenge facing leaders and policy 
makers of VN in the new era of open market and free trade.
I can only wish them the best of luck.

Ian