Labor market paradox
According to data from the Khanh Hoa Provincial Statistics Office, the province's labor force in the first quarter of 2026 is estimated at more than 1.01 million people, a slight increase compared to the end of 2025. The unemployment rate remains low, at about 2.58%.
It is forecast that by 2030, the elderly population group of Khanh Hoa will account for nearly 17% of the total population, a significant increase compared to the level of 13.3% in 2025. This means that Khanh Hoa is gradually passing through the golden population period, a factor that was once an important advantage for growth.
Ms. Nguyen Thanh Xuan - Human Resources Manager of the tourism and entertainment chain in Khanh Hoa shared that among nearly 200 workers working at the enterprise, the proportion of workers over 30 years old is currently the majority. While the labor demand of the industry requires young but is difficult to recruit, many positions that businesses previously chose workers under 40 years old have now changed by taking advantage of the experience of older workers such as taking care of green trees, supporting childcare...
According to the assessment of Khanh Hoa Provincial People's Committee, the middle-aged and elderly labor force is still participating in the labor market but mainly in the informal sector, self-created jobs, low and unstable incomes. Meanwhile, many businesses are lacking experienced workers, especially in the service, tourism, logistics and processing industries.
A paradox that exists today is that the source of experienced labor has not been effectively exploited, while the demand for use is increasing. Not only that, the group of workers aged 35 to 55 also faces the risk of losing their jobs when businesses transform technology. The ability to access retraining, especially digital skills, of this group is still limited, making them easily fall behind in the process of economic restructuring.
Promoting the silver economy, focusing on suitable industries
With the goal of turning challenges into opportunities, Khanh Hoa Provincial People's Committee has just issued a project to develop labor and employment for middle-aged and elderly workers until 2035 to adapt to the trend of population aging. One of the important orientations is to develop the silver economy to take advantage of the needs and capabilities of the elderly.
Accordingly, the province sets a target that by 2030, at least 45% of people aged 50 and over will have jobs. At the same time, 40-50% of middle-aged and elderly workers in need will be retrained, consulted and introduced to jobs. The policies also aim to expand the coverage of social insurance and health insurance to ensure social security for this group of workers.
The project also proposes solutions to develop flexible job models such as part-time, project-based or community-based work, forms suitable for the physical strength and conditions of the elderly. In addition, encouraging businesses to use elderly workers and building "businesses friendly to the elderly" criteria are also set out.
From a career perspective, fields such as tourism, services, healthcare, marine economy and logistics are identified as suitable to take advantage of the experience of older workers. These are also key industries in the province's economic development strategy.
According to leaders of the Khanh Hoa Provincial Labor Federation, in its role as a representative organization for workers, the Labor Federation will coordinate to propagate and mobilize union members and workers to participate in retraining and improving digital skills to help them adapt to the modern labor market. Join in building a set of criteria for "Entreprises friendly to older workers" and at the same time have solutions to protect the legitimate rights of middle-aged and elderly workers.
