Compared to the same period in 2025, this income increased by 720,000 dong. Across the first six months, the average income for salaried workers reached 10 million dong per month. Men earned 10,5 million dong, while women earned 9,5 million. Urban workers achieved 11,1 million dong, significantly higher than the 9,1 million dong earned by their rural counterparts.

A young person receives job placement advice at the Hanoi Employment Service Center. *Hong Chieu*

The labor market in the second Quarter showed positive trends, with the number of employed individuals rising by 170,000 from the previous quarter to 52,7 million. The service sector led with 21,6 million workers, an increase of 332,000 compared to the first Quarter. The industry and construction sector saw 17,8 million people employed, a rise of 546,000. Conversely, the agriculture, forestry, and fishery sectors experienced a decrease of nearly 190,000 workers, settling at 13,3 million.

Over the first six months, the proportion of trained workers holding degrees or certificates reached 29,7%, signaling an improvement in labor quality. The unemployment rate for working-age individuals remained stable at 2,23%, showing little change from the previous quarter or the same period last year. However, youth unemployment, for those aged 15-24, stood at nearly 8,7%, significantly exceeding the national average.

This quarter saw a reduction of 200,000 "three-no" youth – individuals without jobs, not studying, and not in training – compared to the previous quarter, bringing the total to 1,4 million. This group represents 10% of the nation's youth population, with urban areas reporting a higher proportion (11,5%) than rural areas (7,8%).

A survey from the first six months of this year revealed that nearly 40% of households experienced at least one negative event impacting their lives. Of these, 35,5% cited rising prices of goods and services as an impact; 7,5% were affected by natural disasters and climate change; and nearly 4% encountered problems with livestock and crop diseases. Other factors included illness, sickness, and fires.

The General Statistics Office forecasts that the socio-economic landscape will continue to face challenges in the latter half of the year, particularly from unpredictable global fluctuations, epidemics, and natural disasters. Achieving double-digit growth requires maintaining macroeconomic stability and controlling prices and markets. Sector and local authorities should promptly update growth and inflation scenarios, effectively manage fuel prices, and avoid simultaneous adjustments of state-controlled goods to mitigate inflationary pressure.

Authorities at all levels must continue to improve the investment and business environment, selectively attracting high-tech and innovative investment projects. They should also enhance the effectiveness of foreign direct investment (FDI) linkages with domestic enterprises to boost the economy's competitiveness and resilience.

Hong Chieu