Vietnam is still in the “golden age of population” – the period when the proportion of people in the working age (15-64 years old) is twice the proportion of dependents (under 15 years old and over 64 years old). However, the country is facing rapid aging population and a declining birth rate.

Jobs for the elderly in aging population

In developed countries, population aging occurs after the golden population when these nations accumulate conditions to ensure social security for the elderly.

Meanwhile, although Vietnam has just entered the group of countries with middle income, the proportion of elderly people is high in its population structure. Moreover, not many of them get pensions, the majority of elderly people have to rely on the care of their children and grandchildren and partly on social assistance.

In fact, with their own dynamism, the elderly in Vietnam have promoted the spirit of diligence, hard work, and perseverance. They still keep working and work as bread winners.

Many elderly people are good exemplary in movements of economic development and poverty reduction. (Photo: VNA)

According to statistics, by the end of 2023, the whole country had about 2.7 million elderly people receiving monthly pensions and social insurance benefits, accounting for more than 20% of the total elderly population. About 60% of the elderly aged 60-69 are still working; about 40-45% of the elderly, including post-retirement workers, participate in economic activities, about 3-4% of the working elder people are managing enterprises or farms that offer millions of jobs for workers across the country.

In addition, tens of thousands of elderly people, including post-retirement workers, participate in scientific research, teaching, and cultural and artistic activities, among others.

Tens of thousands of elderly people, including post-retirement workers, participate in scientific research, teaching, and cultural and artistic activities, among others. (Photo: VNA)

The elderly’s working potential is still large. According to experts, in the next ten years, tens of millions of elderly people are expected to set up shop, require vocational training and new jobs. That poses a huge concern for society. However, if the employment issue for older workers is addressed properly, they will be an important labour force that contributes to the country’s economic growth.

As the skills and experiences of elderly workers are very valuable, it’s an inevitable and urgent task to support them to change livelihoods or set up shop.

In the context of rapid population aging in Vietnam, the Central Committee of the Vietnam Association of the Elderly (VAE) is proposing to the Prime Minister a project on the participation of elderly people in start-ups, employment, digital transformation, and green transition.

Sectors and localities need to coordinate better with the association to assist elderly people in vocational education, employment and housing; perfect policies on employment, vocational training, job creation and career orientation, especially for the elderly in difficult circumstances; and support pilot models of start-ups and business development for older workers and give priority to them to access loans with preferential interest rates.

VAE Chairman Nguyen Thanh Binh

Completing national strategy on the elderly

Throughout the history of Vietnam, the elderly have made great contributions to the cause of national construction and defence. The valuable traditions and heritage of the elderly in Vietnam were promoted by the Communist Party of Vietnam and President Ho Chi Minh.

President Ho Chi Minh visits a class for elderly women in Luong Yen area, Hanoi on May 27, 1956. (Photo: VNA)

Tapping the potential of the elderly is an urgent task that requires society to have proper awareness and timely actions so that the force of nearly 20% of the population can improve their lives, making worthy contributions to the country’s economic, social and cultural  development.

To support the elderly in career conversion, the Ministry of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs (MoLISA) proposed the Prime Minister the National Action Programme for the Elderly for the 2021-2030 period. Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh in December 2021 issued Decision No 2156/QD-TTg approving the programme. 

The programme sets out specific goals. In the 2022-2025 period, at least 50% of the elderly with the need and ability to work will have jobs, and at least 20,000 elderly people will be supported to set up shop and receive vocational training.

In the 2026-2030 period, at least 70% of the elderly who have the need and ability to work will have jobs, at least 30,000 elderly people will be supported to set up shop, or receive vocational training.

The ministry also proposed adding regulations on supporting job transition and employment for the elderly, including support for vocational training, counseling, and job referrals for older workers, and incentives for businesses that employ older workers.

In order to promptly and effectively respond to the rapid population aging process in Vietnam today, Deputy Prime Minister Le Thanh Long has requested the MoLISA to urgently complete the national strategy for the elderly and submit it to competent authorities for approval in the fourth quarter of 2024. In particular, it is necessary to pay attention to solutions and policies for the aging population and employment for the elderly.

Long requested the MoLISA to further strengthen the inspection and supervision of the implementation of work relating to the elderly; train and improve the professional capacity, skills and expertise of cadres, employees and collaborators working to support the elderly; and coordinate with the Central Committee of the VAE to soon complete the regulations on the operation of the Vietnam National Committee for the Elderly.

In addition, the Deputy Prime Minister assigned the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment to coordinate with the Central Committee of the VAE to study, develop and complete the project “Elderly people participating in startups, job creation, digital transformation, and green transition”./. VNA