According to the General Statistics Office (Ministry of Finance), Vietnam’s labor market in the first half of 2025 has recorded several optimistic and encouraging developments.

First, the size of the labor force continues to expand. Data shows that in Q2 2025, the labor force aged 15 and older reached over 53 million people, an increase of 169,800 compared to the previous quarter and 553,200 compared to Q2 2024. This indicates a robust workforce capable of meeting production and business demands.

Second, employment levels have risen steadily. In Q2 2025, the number of employed workers increased from 51.4 million to 52 million compared to the same period in 2024. Growth was observed in both urban and rural areas, and across both genders. Urban employment reached 20.2 million people, up 440,600, while rural employment stood at 31.8 million, up 103,500 year-on-year. The labor market has thus maintained stable and fairly balanced growth across regions.

Third, employment structure continues to shift positively, with a decline in the proportion of agricultural workers and an increase in those working in the industrial and construction sectors. In Q2 2025, the service sector accounted for the highest share of employment at 40.8% (21.2 million people), followed by industry and construction at 33.2% (17.3 million people), while agriculture, forestry, and fisheries represented the lowest share at 25.9% (13.5 million people).

Informal employment, although still prevalent, has been steadily declining. The rate of informal labor in Q2 2025 was 63.5%, down 0.8 percentage points from the previous quarter and 1.7 percentage points year-on-year.

The General Statistics Office noted that social welfare policies and labor support mechanisms are increasingly effective. A growing number of workers enjoy improved incomes, benefits, and insurance coverage, which reflects a natural trend toward modernization.

Fourth, labor quality is improving. The proportion of workers with formal training and certification rose slightly to 29.1% in Q2 2025, signaling progress in labor productivity and national competitiveness.

Average monthly income rose from VND 7.5 million in Q2 2024 to VND 8.2 million in Q2 2025 (approximately USD 320 to USD 350), an increase of 10.7%. This income growth was consistent across all socio-economic regions and sectors, demonstrating real improvements in social welfare and living standards.

Fifth, both unemployment and underemployment rates declined compared to Q2 2024. Despite some quarterly fluctuations, the overall figures for the first six months of 2025 remained low, reflecting the economy’s resilience and job-creation capacity.

Despite these bright spots, the General Statistics Office acknowledged some persisting challenges. Informal employment remains high at 63.5%, leaving many without formal contracts and vulnerable to economic and social shocks.

Income disparities also remain significant. Male workers earn 1.3 times more than their female counterparts, while urban workers earn 1.4 times more than rural workers, highlighting ongoing inequalities across gender and geography.

Youth unemployment is another concern. In Q2 2025, the unemployment rate among those aged 15–24 was 8.19%, nearly four times the national average. The number of NEET (Not in Education, Employment, or Training) youth stands at 1.35 million, over 10% of the 15–24 age group, emphasizing the urgent need for vocational guidance and job training for young people.

Finally, the rate of formally trained workers remains low at just around 29%, which must be improved to meet national development goals.

PV