According to the Statistics Office, in the second quarter of 2025, the labor force aged 15 and over nationwide is estimated at 53.1 million people, an increase of 169,800 people compared to the previous quarter and an increase of 553,200 people compared to the same period last year.
In the first 6 months of 2025, the labor force aged 15 and over was 53 million people, an increase of 542,600 people compared to the same period last year; the labor force participation rate was 68.2%.
The rate of trained workers with degrees and certificates in the second quarter of 2025 is 29.1%. In the first 6 months of 2025, the rate of trained workers with degrees and certificates was 29.0%, an increase of 1 percentage point over the same period last year.
Employed workers in the second quarter of 2025 are estimated at 52 million people, an increase of 138,600 people compared to the previous quarter and an increase of 544,100 people compared to the same period last year. Of which, the urban area was 20.2 million people, an increase of 152,600 people compared to the previous quarter and an increase of 440,600 people compared to the same period last year.
According to the Statistics Office, employment for workers tends to increase, but the labor market is not developing sustainably as the number of informal workers accounts for a large proportion. The number of workers with general informal jobs (including workers in agricultural, forestry and fishery households) in the second quarter of 2025 is 33 million people, accounting for 63.5% of the total number of employed workers.
In the first 6 months of 2025, the rate of informal employment was 63.9%, down 1.1 percentage points over the same period last year. Of which, urban areas are 48%; rural areas are 74%; men are 67.2%, and women are 60.1%.
Informal workers or informal workers are workers who work without signing labor contracts and there are no bonds between employers and employees.
Informal workers are often characterized by unstable jobs, unstable jobs, low income and long working hours. They often do not have labor contracts or do have them but are not covered by social insurance, health insurance, and are not paid for allowances and other social benefits.
