Long-Term Effects of Early Life Exposure to the Vietnam War

A growing number of studies in the fields of demography, epidemiology, and economics has shown that early life circumstances are critical determinants of morbidity, lifespan prospects, and socioeconomic outcomes. This paper explores the long-term effects of early-life exposure to war on children born or conceived during the Vietnam War. While war is known to have harmful short-term consequences, such as raised mortality, displaced populations, and destruction of infrastructure, little is known about its medium or long-term effects. This paper investigates the Vietnam War’s effects on the socioeconomic outcomes of the Vietnamese population using census microdata. The results from this study will provide insights into the long-term impacts of armed conflicts on children and youth as they develop from infancy to young adulthood. The findings may also have policy implications for post-war aid efforts.