Vietnamese Overseas Workers Growing Younger and More Likely to Be Unmarried

The median age of Vietnamese workers going abroad has dropped to 27, a decrease of one year compared to 2021 and significantly lower than the median age of those working domestically. This trend was highlighted in a report released by the General Statistics Office (GSO) in September. According to the GSO report, approximately 412,000 Vietnamese are expected to work abroad between 2022 and 2025. The median age for this group has fallen from 28 to 27, meaning half of all Vietnamese working overseas are under 27. In contrast, the median age for domestic workers is between 40 and 42. Another indicator of the age structure among overseas workers is the increase in the proportion of unmarried individuals, rising from 52% in 2021 to 61% by 2025. The report is based on the 2025 Labor Force Survey and specialized surveys on migrant workers. The geographical origins of these workers are also shifting. In 2021, about 83% of those going abroad came from the North Central region (Thanh Hoa, Nghe An, Ha Tinh, Quang Tri, Hue City) and the Red River Delta (Hai Phong, Hung Yen, Bac Ninh, Ninh Binh, Hanoi). By 2025, the proportion of workers from the Northern Midlands and Mountains (Phu Tho, Tuyen Quang, Thai Nguyen) and the Mekong Delta (Can Tho, Vinh Long) increased from 12% to 23%. Around 80% of those who go abroad have completed high school. Despite improvements in educational attainment, the jobs they take remain concentrated in sectors requiring low to medium skills. Manufacturing and processing account for 45%, with other sectors including construction, agriculture, trade, automotive/motorcycle repair, and accommodation/food services. Income disparities are evident based on professional levels. High-level management and technical professionals earn around VND 51.7 million per month, nearly double the average of VND 28 million. Simple laborers receive over VND 24 million, while skilled technicians, agricultural workers, and craftspeople primarily earn between VND 27-29 million. The GSO emphasizes that vocational training, technical skills, and foreign language proficiency play a crucial role for workers seeking higher incomes. The agency recommends that training programs should closely align with the needs of each destination market. While Vietnamese laborers work in 42 countries and territories, nearly 77% are concentrated in Japan, South Korea, and Taiwan. The GSO suggests expanding to markets with stable recruitment needs and good working conditions and incomes to provide workers with more options and reduce risks associated with changes in any single market's policies.