Viet Nam Labor Force Participation
Labor force participation rate SL.TLF.CACT.ZS
Viet Nam's labor force participation was 72.78% in 2025, ranked 23rd globally. This represents a 0.5% decrease from 2024. Data from World Bank, covering 1990–2025.
Overview
Viet Nam's labor force participation stood at 72.78% in 2025, a decline of +0.36pp from 2024. Based on recent trends, this figure is projected to reach 72.55% by 2026. Viet Nam ranked 23rd globally.
Vietnam’s labor force participation has slipped from its all‑time peak of 78.15 % in 1990 to a trough of 72.78 % in 2025, placing the country 23rd globally. The 5.37‑percentage‑point decline over 36 years reflects structural shifts such as rapid urbanisation, rising educational attainment and an ageing population that have drawn workers, especially women, into higher‑skill or informal activities. By contrast, regional peers such as Peru (72.86 %) and Moldova (72.29 %) exhibit similar participation levels, suggesting that Vietnam’s slowdown is part of a broader pattern among emerging economies facing demographic transition. The modest gap with Kuwait’s 73.36 % underscores that higher participation still exists in more oil‑rich economies where labor market incentives differ. Continued reforms to improve childcare provision, flexible work arrangements and vocational training could stabilise the downward trajectory, while sustained economic diversification may be required to reverse the long‑term decline.
Data & projection
| Year | Labor Force Participation | YoY change | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2028* trend | 71.90% | - | - |
| 2027* trend | 72.23% | - | - |
| 2026* trend | 72.55% | - | - |
| 2025 | 72.78% | −0.36pp | #23 |
| 2024 | 73.13% | −0.41pp | #22 |
| 2023 | 73.55% | −0.94pp | #21 |
| 2022 | 74.48% | +0.75pp | #18 |
| 2021 | 73.74% | −0.63pp | #19 |
| 2020 | 74.37% | −2.25pp | #16 |
| 2019 | 76.62% | −0.87pp | #16 |
| 2018 | 77.48% | +0.28pp | #13 |
| 2017 | 77.20% | +0.23pp | #13 |
| 2016 | 76.97% | −0.47pp | #14 |
| 2015 | 77.43% | +0.12pp | #13 |
| 2014 | 77.31% | +0.07pp | #13 |
| 2013 | 77.23% | +0.91pp | #15 |
| 2012 | 76.32% | −0.05pp | #17 |
| 2011 | 76.37% | +0.10pp | #18 |
Detected Pattern
Analysis
Viet Nam matched the Export Boom Cycle pattern in 2020. Historically, 71% of countries showing this pattern (546 out of 768) saw labor force participation improve within 24 months. View full analysis →
Frequently Asked Questions
Viet Nam's labor force participation was 72.78% in 2025. Ranked 23rd globally. This represents a 0.5% decrease from the previous year.
Viet Nam's labor force participation peaked at 78.15% in 1990.
The lowest labor force participation in Viet Nam was 72.78% in 2025.
Viet Nam ranks 23rd globally in labor force participation as of 2025.
The World Bank indicator code is SL.TLF.CACT.ZS. Data sourced from World Bank.
Viet Nam's labor force participation is projected to reach 72.55% by 2026 based on trend extrapolation.
The labor force participation of Viet Nam in 2025 was 72.78%. This ranks 23rd in the world.
Cite this page
@misc{historysaid_viet-nam_labor-force-participation,
title = {Viet Nam Labor Force Participation},
url = {https://historysaid.com/viet-nam/labor-force-participation/},
publisher = {HistorySaid},
year = {2026}
}