The Hanoi labor market update bulletin newly released by the Hanoi Employment Service Center shows that in the fourth quarter of 2025, the population of urban areas (3.425 million people) surpassed the rural area (3.260 million people) after a period of population structure mainly in rural areas. This is a direct consequence of the attraction of vibrant economic activities and the city's urban infrastructure development investment strategy, affirming its leading economic center role.
Labor market indicators in the fourth quarter of 2025 outline a multi-dimensional picture. The strong urbanization process is providing abundant human resources for growth, reflected in the increase in population and urban labor force. However, this also creates pressure on infrastructure and increases job competition. At the same time, the trend of stable labor participation poses for the City the problem of needing more breakthrough policies to activate and effectively utilize all human capital, towards harmonious and sustainable socio-economic development.
According to the Hanoi Employment Service Center, the employment structure in the fourth quarter of 2025 is the most truthful and clear reflection of the capital's economic growth model, showing a strong shift towards modernity, focusing on services.
Workers aged 15 and over who are working in the fourth quarter of 2025 are 4,144 thousand people, an increase of 0.8% compared to the same period in 2024. Of which, urban workers are 1,912 thousand people; rural workers are 2,232 thousand people. By gender, male workers are 2,096 thousand people; female workers are 2,048 thousand people. By economic sector, workers working in the state economic sector are 550 thousand people; non-state sector is 3,306 thousand people; foreign-invested sector is 288 thousand people.
The most outstanding achievement in job quality in the fourth quarter is a clear improvement in income and stability. The average income of workers continues to increase, estimated at 12.3 million VND/month. In particular, the proportion of informal workers has decreased sharply to 50%. This is an important step forward, showing that the market is moving towards sustainability, helping workers to be better protected through social security regimes.
However, the market also recorded timely challenges. The overall unemployment rate is estimated at 1.49%, of which urban areas are 2.14% and rural areas are 0.92%. These indicators do not reflect the weakening of the labor market, but are the inevitable consequence of a market that is undergoing strong restructuring, with an increase in labor movements between industries and businesses.
