Viet Nam Services Employment
Employment in services SL.SRV.EMPL.ZS
Viet Nam's services employment was 40.13% in 2025, ranked 30th globally. This represents a 0.8% increase from 2024. Data from World Bank, covering 1991–2025.
Overview
Viet Nam's services employment stood at 40.13% in 2025, a rise of +0.32% from 2024. Based on recent trends, this figure is projected to reach 41.19% by 2026. Viet Nam ranked 30th globally.
Vietnam’s share of employment in services rose from 18.72 percent in 1991 to 40.13 percent in 2025, marking a 35‑year expansion that more than doubled the sector’s labour contribution. The all‑time peak of 40.13 percent in 2025 places Vietnam at rank 30 globally, closely trailing Côte d’Ivoire’s 40.30 percent and Angola’s 40.85 percent while outpacing Pakistan’s 38.51 percent. The upward trajectory reflects structural shifts toward urbanisation, rising household incomes and the growth of tourism, information technology and financial services, which have absorbed workers formerly employed in agriculture and manufacturing. Despite the rapid rise, the services share remains modest compared with more advanced economies, suggesting room for further deepening of value‑added activities such as professional services and digital platforms. Continued investment in skills development, infrastructure and regulatory reforms will be crucial to sustain the current momentum and potentially push the services employment rate beyond the 2025 peak.
Data & projection
| Year | Services Employment | YoY change | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2028* trend | 42.90% | - | - |
| 2027* trend | 42.05% | - | - |
| 2026* trend | 41.19% | - | - |
| 2025 | 40.13% | +0.32% | #30 |
| 2024 | 39.81% | +0.26% | #31 |
| 2023 | 39.55% | +3.69% | #33 |
| 2022 | 35.86% | −1.99% | #27 |
| 2021 | 37.85% | +1.53% | #34 |
| 2020 | 36.32% | +0.44% | #29 |
| 2019 | 35.88% | +0.30% | #26 |
| 2018 | 35.57% | +1.50% | #25 |
| 2017 | 34.07% | +0.69% | #25 |
| 2016 | 33.37% | +0.14% | #25 |
| 2015 | 33.24% | +1.02% | #25 |
| 2014 | 32.22% | +0.21% | #24 |
| 2013 | 32.00% | +0.56% | #23 |
| 2012 | 31.44% | +1.03% | #23 |
| 2011 | 30.41% | +0.80% | #22 |
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 services employment improve within 24 months. View full analysis →
Frequently Asked Questions
Viet Nam's services employment was 40.13% in 2025. Ranked 30th globally. This represents a 0.8% increase from the previous year.
Viet Nam's services employment peaked at 40.13% in 2025.
The lowest services employment in Viet Nam was 18.72% in 1991.
Viet Nam ranks 30th globally in services employment as of 2025.
The World Bank indicator code is SL.SRV.EMPL.ZS. Data sourced from World Bank.
Viet Nam's services employment is projected to reach 41.19% by 2026 based on trend extrapolation.
The services employment of Viet Nam in 2025 was 40.13%. This ranks 30th in the world.
Cite this page
@misc{historysaid_viet-nam_services-employment,
title = {Viet Nam Services Employment},
url = {https://historysaid.com/viet-nam/services-employment/},
publisher = {HistorySaid},
year = {2026}
}