A study on Vietnam's internal migration from 2009-2024, published by the General Statistics Office, indicates that over 15 years, young people aged 20-24 constituted the largest migrant group in all economic regions, but their numbers sharply declined between 2019 and 2024.

Specifically, the reduction was to 170,000 people in the North Central Coast and Central Coast, 167,000 in the Red River Delta, and 171,000 in the Mekong Delta. In contrast, during 2009-2014, this age group led in migration numbers in these three regions, with 370,000, 305,000, and 292,000 people respectively. This 40-54% decline reflects a shift in youth migration behavior, as many have found educational opportunities and employment in their local areas, reducing the need to migrate.

A family leaves Hanoi to return to their hometown for New Year 2026. Photo: Pham Chieu

Conversely, the proportion of migrants aged 30-39 increased in many regions. In the Southeast region, the 30-34 age group rose from 4,1% to 4,6%, and the 35-39 age group from 2,4% to 3%. The Red River Delta recorded similar rates, increasing from 2,4% to 2,6% for the 30-34 age group and from 1,1% to 1,6% for the 35-39 age group. This upward trend suggests that middle-aged individuals are increasingly participating in migration due to job changes requiring relocation or family reasons.

Migration among the elderly, aged 65 and above, also showed an upward trend, increasing from 0,2% to 0,3% of the total migration structure. In the Red River Delta, this number grew from 19,000 to 25,000 people, and in the Mekong Delta, from 13,000 to 15,000 people. Although the scale is not large, the increasing trend indicates that older people are returning to their hometowns to live after retirement or moving to follow their children and grandchildren.

The statistical agency noted that migrants without technical expertise still constitute a significant portion, but their numbers have sharply declined from 3,8 million people during 2009-2014 to 2,2 million in 2019-2024. This reduction indicates a slowdown in the movement of unskilled labor and a changing structure of the migrant workforce.

Next, migrant groups with primary, secondary, and college-level qualifications experienced small and sharp declines, not creating significant fluctuations. The 2009-2014 period recorded approximately 400,000 migrants with secondary qualifications and 300,000 with college qualifications, which decreased to 100,000-200,000 people per group by 2019-2024. This clear decline reflects that medium-skilled labor is less involved in migration flows, shifting towards local, informal, or self-created employment.

Migrants with university degrees or higher represent the most stable group, decreasing slightly from 800,000 people in 2009-2014 to 700,000 in 2019-2024. This group accounts for 6,6% of migrants in the Red River Delta, 5,7% in the Southeast region, and over 4% in the North Central Coast and Central Coast. The overall stable size over 15 years highlights the increasing role of high-quality labor.

Employment remains the primary reason for migration among workers aged 20-34, followed by marriage, which accounts for approximately two million migrants, predominantly women, and finally, family reasons. The number of single migrants increased rapidly from 28% of the total structure to 36% after 15 years. This shows that young single individuals are increasingly proactive in migrating for education, employment, or to start a new life, while also reflecting a trend of later marriages among youth.

The statistical agency recommends comprehensive policies to support middle-aged migrants, children, and the elderly, as these groups increasingly comprise the migration flows. These policies should focus on developing appropriate healthcare, education, housing, and social security services; expanding education, vocational training, and labor market connections to create equitable employment opportunities. For single migrants, a growing demographic in migration flows, there is a need to enhance community connections, provide psychological counseling, and facilitate access to housing and public services.

Hong Chieu