The population problem in Tonkin: the “overpopulation” situation and its consequences (from the late-19th century to the mid-20th century)

Abstract

The Tonkin delta was known as an "overpopulated”, “geographically-small, crowded" region. From the late 19th century, for many reasons, its population increased rapidly, became the most densely populated region of Vietnam. However, because the majority of the population concentrated in a small portion of the Delta comparing to the Central and Upland regions, the Red River Delta was among the most populous in the world. This "overpopulation" situation brought the French many "advantages" in terms of tax revenue, an abundant provision of soldiers and cheap labor, but on the contrary, it caused many economic, political and social issues, including social security to the French colonial rule. This article presents our research result on the first aspects that Tonkin’s population situation, namely population growth and the consequences of overpopulation the late 19th to the mid-20th centuries