Sir, data from the Statistics Office shows that in the second quarter of 2026, the whole country had up to 1.4 million young people (from 15 - 24 years old) unemployed and not participating in studying and training. What is your assessment of this figure?
- This is an alarming reality, reflecting the extremely large waste of human resources right in the golden population structure period. It is predicted that we will only have about 10 years left before completely transitioning to the aging population period.
As the population aging rapidly, the "golden age" to break through labor productivity and national competitiveness is no longer much. Youth are the most energetic force, most sensitive to technology. If 1.4 million young people do not find jobs soon, and when they enter middle age, they still have "white" skills, they will become a social security burden. If this young force is not utilized well to increase economic growth right now, Vietnam is at high risk of falling into the middle-income trap - meaning "not yet rich but already old".
Some opinions suggest that the trend of shifting to a free economy (Gig economy) such as being a shipper, driving technology cars or livestreaming sales... is a short-term "lifebuoy" for young people. Do you agree with this view?
- It is true that freelance jobs are attracting a large number of young workers because they bring fast cash flow and temporary freedom. However, from a macro perspective, this is a precarious trap.
The free economy does not have a social security network to protect: No labor contracts, no social insurance, no health insurance. When they reach adolescence, their physical strength declines, this group of workers will face the risk of falling behind because they do not accumulate professional skills. Young workers "hiding" in common jobs or living off their families is a huge waste of resources, pushing them outside the sustainable economic development system.
According to you, what is the biggest barrier that makes it difficult for young people to access official job positions in businesses today?
- First is the mismatch between the training system and actual needs. In June 2026, in Hanoi alone, the demand for recruiting workers with college and university degrees or higher accounted for 51.3% of the entire market. Businesses need human resources with technical expertise, mastering digital skills and green skills to adapt to the wave of automation and AI.
The second barrier comes from the psychology of workers. A part of young people today are afraid of difficulties and hardships, expecting salaries and positions that are too high compared to their actual capacity. When stumbling at company interviews, instead of proactively lowering criteria to accumulate experience, they choose to withdraw, live in seclusion, gradually losing complete connection with the labor market.
According to you, what solutions are needed to bring the "sluggish" youth force back to a sustainable learning and labor system?
- First, proactively screen and classify from the grassroots level: Employment service centers in localities need to innovate market forecasting systems, proactively approach the "three no's" youth group in the area. Organize free career counseling, design short-term retraining programs suitable to the digitalization trend to quickly compensate for skills gaps for children.
Second, the "hand in hand" training mechanism is linked to the address: Vocational schools and universities must cut academic theory and increase the number of combat practice hours. Conversely, companies and businesses need to open their doors, create space and internship locations to welcome students from the second and third years to train industrial style.
Third, activate specialized preferential credit packages: The State needs to coordinate with the Vietnam Bank for Social Policies to expand preferential credit packages specifically for unemployed youth who want to learn a trade or create jobs and start a business in their hometown.
