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IZA Discussion Paper No. 18954
September 2026
Business Development and Provincial Income in Vietnam: The Role of Labor Market Conditions
Nga Quynh Le Thi, Almas Heshmati

Labor market conditions (LMC) play an important role in business development (BD) and provincial income, yet their interaction at the provincial level in Vietnam remains underexplored. This study examines how LMC are associated with BD and Gross Regional Domestic Product (GRDP) per capita across 63 provinces during 2018–2023, using data from the Vietnam General Statistics Office (GSO) and the Provincial Competitiveness Index (PCI). A simultaneous equation framework estimated by three-stage least squares (3SLS) is applied to capture the interdependence between enterprise density and GRDP per capita. The findings reveal a nonlinear and bidirectional relationship, with diminishing marginal effects at higher development levels. LMC and selected PCI dimensions are associated with enterprise activity and income differences, while regional disparities persist. The results highlight the importance of balanced regional development, improved labor allocation, and stronger institutional quality to support sustainable BD and reduce provincial gaps.

Communications
Mark Fallak
mark.fallak@liser.lu
+352 585-855-526
World of Labour
Olga Nottmeyer
olga.nottmeyer-ext@liser.lu
+352 585-855-501
Network Coordination
Christina Gathmann
christina.gathmann@liser.lu

The IZA@LISER Network is a global community of scholars dedicated to excellence in labor economics and related fields, now coordinated at the Luxembourg Institute of Socio-Economic Research (LISER) following its transition from Bonn.

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