Hanoi – As Vietnam’s population ages, the country faces the dual challenge of catering to the desires of millions of elderly individuals seeking entrepreneurship, vocational training, and employment opportunities, while also capitalizing on their potential as a valuable workforce for economic growth.
According to Vietnam News Agency, Vietnam currently has over 16 million elderly people. By 2036, the country is expected to officially enter the aging population phase, with over 21 million elderly individuals making up 19.48% of the total population. The Ministry of Public Security’s population data indicates that this phase may begin even earlier, in the early 2030s.
Consolidated data from localities in 2023 reveal that over 7 million elderly people in Vietnam are actively involved in labor and production activities. Additionally, 221,000 senior citizens own and operate production and business establishments nationwide.
The period between 2010 and 2020 saw an average annual increase of about 160,000 elderly workers, approximately 4% per year. This rate is more than double the country’s general employment growth rate. However, 57% of Vietnam’s elderly population do not receive pensions or social insurance benefits. Many in this group lack adequate social security coverage or have low incomes, highlighting their need for employment to support themselves and their families.
Vice Chairman of the Vietnam Association of the Elderly, Phan Van Hung, acknowledged that while the Party and State have developed policies regarding entrepreneurship, vocational training, and employment for senior citizens, these policies are mostly unimplemented at a practical level.
In response, the Ministry of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs has proposed a national action programme for the elderly for the 2021-2030 period. This programme aims for at least 50% of elderly individuals capable and willing to work to secure jobs, and for at least 20,000 to receive support in startup activities or vocational training from 2022 to 2025. The targets increase to 70% employment and at least 30,000 individuals supported in the 2026-2030 period.
Drawing from international experience, Deputy Director General of the General Directorate of Vocational Training Pham Vu Quoc Binh emphasized the importance of raising social awareness about vocational training, job creation, and career transition support for elderly workers. Establishing a flexible and accessible support system and accurately forecasting vocational training needs and suitable industries are also crucial.
These measures are necessary to adequately prepare for the imminent aging population era, stressed Deputy Director General Binh.