The press release on the labor and employment situation in the second quarter and the first 6 months of 2026 of the Statistics Office shows that the labor force aged 15 and over nationwide in the second quarter of 2026 is 53.8 million people, an increase of 175,600 people compared to the previous quarter and an increase of 693,500 people compared to the same period in 2025.
The labor force participation rate is 68.4%, 0.2 percentage points higher than the first quarter of 2026 and 0.1 percentage points lower than the same period in 2025. In general, in the first 6 months of 2026, the labor force aged 15 and over is 53.7 million people, an increase of 690,700 people compared to the same period last year.
The rate of trained workers with degrees and certificates in Q2/2026 is 29.8%. In general, in the first 6 months of 2026, the rate of trained workers with degrees and certificates is 29.7%, 0.8 percentage points higher than the same period in 2025, showing that the quality of labor resources is gradually improving.
Regarding the employment situation, in the second quarter of 2026, there were 52.7 million people with jobs, an increase of 170,200 people compared to the previous quarter and an increase of 688,300 people compared to the same period in 2025. Of which, urban areas reached 20.7 million people, and rural areas reached 32 million people.
By economic sector, the number of employed workers in the second quarter of 2026 in the agriculture, forestry and fishery sector is 13.3 million people (accounting for 25.2%); the industry and construction sector is 17.8 million people (accounting for 33.9%); the service sector is 21.6 million people (accounting for 40.9%).
In general, in the first six months of 2026, the number of employed workers reached 52.6 million people, an increase of 672,000 thousand people compared to the same period in 2025. Of which, the number of employed workers in urban areas reached 20.7 million people; rural areas reached 31.9 million people.
By economic sector, the number of employed workers in the first six months of 2026 in the agriculture, forestry and fishery sector is 13.3 million people; the industry and construction sector is 17.7 million people; the service sector is 21.6 million people.
The proportion of informal employment still accounts for a large proportion with 61.7%. Of which, urban areas are 47.1%; rural areas are 71.2%; men are 65.4% and women are 57.5%.
In general, in the first six months of 2026, the rate of informal employment is 61.9%; urban areas is 47.7%; rural areas is 71.1%; men is 65.5%; women is 57.9%.
