Human Capital Status of Tho Ethnic Households in Relation to Poverty Escape in Thanh Hoa Province, Vietnam

Abstract

This paper examines the state of human capital and proposes solutions to enhance it, thereby improving the poverty alleviation capacity of Tho ethnic households in Thanh Hoa province. Based on a mixed-method approach, combining a quantitative survey of 200 families and qualitative in-depth interviews, the study reveals that the poverty escape capacity of the Tho people is strongly associated with factors related to human capital, including the quantity and quality of labor, educational attainment, health status, and production and business skills. The results indicate a significant difference in these indicators between poor households and those that have escaped poverty. Key barriers identified include low educational levels (with a significant portion of household heads having only completed lower secondary school or less), a lack of production experience, limited access to health services, and a weak capacity to access and utilize capital. Based
on this analysis, the paper proposes several solutions to enhance human capital, such as improving the quality of education
and vocational training, strengthening healthcare, and innovating communication strategies to change mindsets and foster
people's internal strength.