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Structural and Rural Transformations and Poverty Reduction in Developing Asian Economies: An International Comparison Among China, the Philippines, and Vietnam

Author

Listed:
  • Qiu Chen

    (School of Economics, Beijing Institute of Technology, Beijing 100081, China
    China Center for Agricultural Policy, Peking University, Beijing 100087, China)

  • Jikun Huang

    (China Center for Agricultural Policy, Peking University, Beijing 100087, China)

  • Mercedita A. Sombilla

    (Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture (SEARCA), Los Baños 4031, Laguna, Philippines)

  • Trang Truong

    (Center for Agricultural Policy, Institute for Policy and Strategy for Agriculture and Rural Development, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, Hanoi 100000, Vietnam)

Abstract

In order to contribute to the body of knowledge on sustainable poverty reduction by exploring the relationship between rural and structural transformations and rural poverty incidence in Asian developing countries, this paper selected China, the Philippines, and Vietnam as case studies. Based on a comparison with the provincial data from those three countries, both the graphic and regression analysis suggest that structural and rural transformations matter in rural poverty reduction in these three countries. There is strong evidence showing that raising the share of non-agricultural GDP and the share of rural off-farm employment significantly contributes to rural poverty reduction in all three countries. More importantly, with the expansion of the non-farm sectors in both urban and rural areas, high-value agricultural share has a statistically significant and negative correlation with rural poverty in China and Vietnam over time, while such a negative correlation is much weaker or even does not exist in the Philippines. This paper further concludes with several implications for policymakers to promote inclusive structural and rural transformations.

Suggested Citation

  • Qiu Chen & Jikun Huang & Mercedita A. Sombilla & Trang Truong, 2025. "Structural and Rural Transformations and Poverty Reduction in Developing Asian Economies: An International Comparison Among China, the Philippines, and Vietnam," Land, MDPI, vol. 14(2), pages 1-26, February.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jlands:v:14:y:2025:i:2:p:350-:d:1586591
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
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    2. Benedikter, Simon & Waibel, Gabi & Birtel, Serge & Bui, Cuong The & Tran, Be Thanh, 2013. "Local Entrepreneurship in Vietnam’s Rural Transformation. A Case Study from the Mekong Delta," MPRA Paper 49866, University Library of Munich, Germany.
    3. C. Peter Timmer, 2017. "Food Security, Structural Transformation, Markets and Government Policy," Asia and the Pacific Policy Studies, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 4(1), pages 4-19, January.
    4. World Bank, 2017. "Philippines Mindanao Jobs Report," World Bank Publications - Reports 28291, The World Bank Group.
    5. World Bank, 2015. "World Development Indicators 2015," World Bank Publications - Books, The World Bank Group, number 21634.
    6. Huang, Jikun & Rozelle, Scott, 1996. "Technological change: Rediscovering the engine of productivity growth in China's rural economy," Journal of Development Economics, Elsevier, vol. 49(2), pages 337-369, May.
    7. Llanto, Gilberto M., 2012. "The Impact of Infrastructure on Agricultural Productivity," Discussion Papers DP 2012-12, Philippine Institute for Development Studies.
    8. World Bank, 2013. "Philippine Development Report : Creating More and Better Jobs," World Bank Publications - Reports 16716, The World Bank Group.
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