SBR- Content.pmd - INBO

State of the Basin Report - 2003Some caution should be taken in using GDP per capita income data as they may understate livingstandards. Large numbers of people in the LMB are not part of the market economy. Data for 1996,nonetheless, indicate that wages in Thailand are five times the rates in Cambodia and Lao PDR, and2.5 times greater than in Viet Nam. 115Table 15. Income levels, 1999-2000 (most recent year)GDP/ capita GDP/capita, 1999(PPP$) GNI/capita, 20002000(PPP$) Total Male Female ($, Atlas method)Cambodia 1,440 1,361 1,541 1,190 260Lao PDR 1,540 1,471 1,774 1,169 290Thailand 6,320 6,132 7,660 4,634 2,000Viet Nam 2,000 1,860 2,170 1,552 390Sources: ADB 2001c; ADB 2000b; WB 2002bThe growth of the rural non-farm sector is reflected in changes in sources of income. In Lao PDR,while most household income still comes from agriculture, wages and profits from home businessesnow account for more than one-third of incomes. People who are paid employees and who are selfemployedeach represent as much as 10 percent of the labour force. 116 Self-employment is also animportant source of income in Cambodia. 117 In Northeast Thailand, nearly one-third of employedpersons are government or private sector employees. 118 Remittances from household members whohave found work in urban areas are another common source of rural income. In Thailand, forexample, 20-25 percent of household income is derived from remittances. 119Figure 10. Sources of income (%), 1999-2000 (most recent year)Sources: ADB 2000b; NSC 1999; NSO 2002aIn the LMB, there are wide disparities between the incomes of the rich and poor, within and betweencountries. In Thailand, incomes are distributed more unequally among rich and poor households thanin most middle class countries. In low-income countries like Cambodia and Lao PDR, the differencebetween the rich and poor is much less, but income inequality is rapidly increasing. In Viet Nam,while the relationship of rich to poor in the Mekong Delta (7.8) is similar to the national situation, inthe Central Highlands there is a greater difference (10.4). 12064