In 2018, manufacturing labor costs in China were estimated to be **** U.S. dollars per hour. This is compared to an estimated **** U.S. dollars per hour in Mexico, and **** U.S. dollars in Vietnam. Manufacturing jobs in the United States Many people in the United States believe manufacturing jobs to be the backbone of the U.S. economy, despite employment in the manufacturing sector decreasing since 1997, and the monthly change in manufacturing employment being highly variable. Although manufacturing added a value of about ** percent to the U.S. gross domestic product (GDP) in 2018, employment in the United States has been moving away from manufacturing to other means of employment. A difference in earnings Part of this steering away from manufacturing could be due to a difference in labor costs. While hourly wages in Vietnam were less than * U.S. dollars in 2018, hourly wages in the U.S. manufacturing sector hovered around ** U.S. dollars in 2018. The labor costs in the U.S. could simply be too high for companies, who look to countries such as China, Mexico, and Vietnam for cheaper labor.

Minimum Wages in Vietnam remained unchanged at 4960 VND Thousand/Month in 2025 from 4960 VND Thousand/Month in 2024. This dataset provides - Vietnam Minimum Wages- actual values, historical data, forecast, chart, statistics, economic calendar and news.

In 2024, the labor productivity in Vietnam reached 222 million Vietnamese dong per employed person at current prices, indicating a continuing growth in labor productivity. In the previous year, the country's labor force reached approximately 53 million.

Wages in Manufacturing in Vietnam decreased to 8400 VND Thousand/Month in the first quarter of 2024 from 10300 VND Thousand/Month in the fourth quarter of 2023. This dataset provides - Vietnam Wages In Manufacturing- actual values, historical data, forecast, chart, statistics, economic calendar and news.

Key information about Vietnam Labour Force Participation Rate

• Vietnam Labour Force Participation Rate increased to 68.1 % in Mar 2022, compared with 67.7 % in the previous quarter.
• Vietnam Labour Force Participation Rate is updated quarterly, available from Mar 2020 to Mar 2022, with an average rate of 68.1 % .
• The data reached the an all-time high of 70.3 % in Dec 2020 and a record low of 65.6 % in Sep 2021.
• Vietnam Labour Force Participation Rate is reported by reported by General Statistics Office.
• In the latest reports, Vietnam Population reached 99.5 million people in Dec 2022.
• Unemployment Rate of Vietnam increased to 2.3 % in Jun 2023.
• The country's Monthly Earnings stood at 330.6 USD in Jun 2023.

Labor Force Participation Rate in Vietnam remained unchanged at 68.20 percent in the second quarter of 2025 from 68.20 percent in the first quarter of 2025. This dataset provides - Vietnam Labor Force Participation Rate- actual values, historical data, forecast, chart, statistics, economic calendar and news.

In the first quarter of 2025, the labor participation rate was at **** percent in Vietnam, indicating a slight decrease compared to the preceding quarter. The labor force reached about ** million people in that quarter.

Vietnam VN: Labour Force Participation Rate: Modeled ILO Estimate: Female: % of Female Population Aged 15-64 data was reported at 79.283 % in 2017. This records an increase from the previous number of 79.083 % for 2016. Vietnam VN: Labour Force Participation Rate: Modeled ILO Estimate: Female: % of Female Population Aged 15-64 data is updated yearly, averaging 79.281 % from Dec 1990 (Median) to 2017, with 28 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 80.252 % in 1991 and a record low of 78.105 % in 2009. Vietnam VN: Labour Force Participation Rate: Modeled ILO Estimate: Female: % of Female Population Aged 15-64 data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by World Bank. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Vietnam – Table VN.World Bank: Labour Force. Labor force participation rate is the proportion of the population ages 15-64 that is economically active: all people who supply labor for the production of goods and services during a specified period.; ; International Labour Organization, ILOSTAT database. Data retrieved in March 2017.; Weighted average; Caution should be used when comparing ILO estimates with national estimates.

This dataset provides values for WAGES IN MANUFACTURING reported in several countries. The data includes current values, previous releases, historical highs and record lows, release frequency, reported unit and currency.

Wages in Vietnam decreased to 8249.90 VND Thousand/Month in the second quarter of 2025 from 8307.50 VND Thousand/Month in the first quarter of 2025. This dataset provides - Vietnam Wages- actual values, historical data, forecast, chart, statistics, economic calendar and news.

Vietnam VN: Labour Force Participation Rate: Modeled ILO Estimate: % of Total Population Aged 15-64 data was reported at 83.169 % in 2017. This records an increase from the previous number of 82.997 % for 2016. Vietnam VN: Labour Force Participation Rate: Modeled ILO Estimate: % of Total Population Aged 15-64 data is updated yearly, averaging 82.580 % from Dec 1990 (Median) to 2017, with 28 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 83.278 % in 2014 and a record low of 81.319 % in 2009. Vietnam VN: Labour Force Participation Rate: Modeled ILO Estimate: % of Total Population Aged 15-64 data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by World Bank. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Vietnam – Table VN.World Bank.WDI: Labour Force. Labor force participation rate is the proportion of the population ages 15-64 that is economically active: all people who supply labor for the production of goods and services during a specified period.; ; International Labour Organization, ILOSTAT database. Data retrieved in September 2018.; Weighted average; Data up to 2016 are estimates while data from 2017 are projections. National estimates are also available in the WDI database. Caution should be used when comparing ILO estimates with national estimates.

In the fourth quarter of 2024, the informal employment rate including agricultural workers in Vietnam was at **** percent, indicating a slight decrease compared to the previous quarter. In 2024, the labor force participation rate in the country reached **** percent.

Key information about Vietnam Monthly Earnings

• Vietnam Monthly Earnings stood at 339 USD in Dec 2023, compared with the previous figure of 334 USD in Sep 2023
• Vietnam Monthly Earnings data is updated quarterly, available from Mar 2011 to Dec 2023, with an average number of 240 USD
• The data reached the an all-time high of 339 USD in Dec 2023 and a record low of 142 USD in Jun 2011

• In the latest reports, Vietnam Population reached 101 million people in Dec 2024
• Unemployment Rate of Vietnam dropped to 2 % in Dec 2024
• The country's Labour Force Participation Rate increased to 68 % in Mar 2022

In 2023, over 13.8 million people worked in the agriculture, forestry, and fishing sector in Vietnam, making this sector the largest employer among all industries. By comparison, the manufacturing industry employed approximately 11.9 million people, making it the second-highest employed population that year. Employment shift: from agriculture to non-agriculture sectors Although agriculture was still the sector employing the most people in Vietnam, the workforce in this sector has been shrinking fast across the last decade. At the same time, other sectors that are the main driving forces behind the reformed Vietnamese economy have been benefiting from this employment trend. For instance, the manufacturing sector’s share of total employment has been growing in recent years, reaching over 21 percent in 2022, compared to under 14 percent at the beginning of the decade. Vietnam’s export-oriented economy Since its economic reform at the end of the 1980s, Vietnam has positioned itself as an export-oriented economy. This has come hand in hand with the mentioned employment shift, as the manufacturing sector has been responsible for the majority of the country’s most important export commodities, such as mobile phones, electronics, and textiles. On the other hand, coming from an economy previously highly dependent on agriculture, products from this sector, namely timber and aquaculture products, have also contributed to Vietnam’s export income.

Vietnam VN: Labour Force Participation Rate: Modeled ILO Estimate: Female: Aged 15-24 data was reported at 55.565 % in 2017. This records a decrease from the previous number of 56.095 % for 2016. Vietnam VN: Labour Force Participation Rate: Modeled ILO Estimate: Female: Aged 15-24 data is updated yearly, averaging 63.063 % from Dec 1990 (Median) to 2017, with 28 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 72.332 % in 1990 and a record low of 55.565 % in 2017. Vietnam VN: Labour Force Participation Rate: Modeled ILO Estimate: Female: Aged 15-24 data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by World Bank. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Vietnam – Table VN.World Bank.WDI: Labour Force. Labor force participation rate for ages 15-24 is the proportion of the population ages 15-24 that is economically active: all people who supply labor for the production of goods and services during a specified period.; ; International Labour Organization, ILOSTAT database. Data retrieved in September 2018.; Weighted average; Data up to 2016 are estimates while data from 2017 are projections. National estimates are also available in the WDI database. Caution should be used when comparing ILO estimates with national estimates.

In 2024, there were approximately 51.9 million employed people in Vietnam, indicating a slight increase compared to the previous year. In that year, the labor force participation rate in the country reached 68.9 percent.

In 2023, the labor productivity in Vietnam reached 199.3 million Vietnamese dong per employed person at current prices, indicating a continuing growth in labor productivity. In the previous year, the labor force participation rate was at 73.42 percent in the country.

Vietnam VN: Labour Force Participation Rate: Modeled ILO Estimate: Ratio of Female to Male data was reported at 87.745 % in 2017. This records an increase from the previous number of 87.688 % for 2016. Vietnam VN: Labour Force Participation Rate: Modeled ILO Estimate: Ratio of Female to Male data is updated yearly, averaging 88.935 % from Dec 1990 (Median) to 2017, with 28 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 89.062 % in 2001 and a record low of 87.455 % in 2015. Vietnam VN: Labour Force Participation Rate: Modeled ILO Estimate: Ratio of Female to Male data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by World Bank. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Vietnam – Table VN.World Bank.WDI: Labour Force. Labor force participation rate is the proportion of the population ages 15 and older that is economically active: all people who supply labor for the production of goods and services during a specified period. Ratio of female to male labor force participation rate is calculated by dividing female labor force participation rate by male labor force participation rate and multiplying by 100.; ; Derived using data from International Labour Organization, ILOSTAT database. Data retrieved in September 2018.; Weighted average; Data up to 2016 are estimates while data from 2017 are projections. National estimates are also available in the WDI database. Caution should be used when comparing ILO estimates with national estimates.

The global labor dispatch service market is experiencing robust growth, driven by the increasing demand for flexible staffing solutions across diverse industries. The rising adoption of technology in recruitment and workforce management, coupled with the growing need for specialized skills in sectors like technology and healthcare, are key catalysts. While the precise market size in 2025 isn't provided, considering typical growth rates in this sector and a plausible CAGR (let's assume a conservative 7% based on industry averages), a reasonable estimate could place the market value at approximately $50 billion USD. This signifies substantial potential for further expansion. The market is segmented by application (large enterprises and SMEs) and type of labor dispatched (technical and ordinary), each presenting distinct opportunities. Large enterprises often require specialized technical labor, resulting in higher spending on these services. SMEs, on the other hand, may prioritize cost-effectiveness, opting for ordinary labor dispatch solutions. Geographical variations also exist, with North America and Europe currently holding larger market shares due to established economies and advanced HR practices. However, Asia-Pacific is poised for significant growth due to rapid industrialization and urbanization driving demand for temporary staffing. Growth is further propelled by the increasing adoption of technology-enabled platforms that streamline the labor dispatch process. These platforms offer greater transparency, efficiency, and cost-effectiveness compared to traditional methods. However, challenges remain, such as regulatory hurdles in certain regions concerning labor laws and compliance, as well as the potential for skills mismatches and the need for robust training programs to upskill the workforce to meet evolving industry demands. Companies listed – including global players like ManpowerGroup and regional providers like Faro Vietnam – are actively competing to capture market share through strategic expansions, technological advancements, and specialized service offerings. The forecast period (2025-2033) presents substantial opportunities for market expansion, driven by ongoing technological innovation, a growing global economy, and persistent need for agile workforce solutions. The long-term outlook is positive, although it is crucial to closely monitor regulatory shifts and economic trends.

Abstract

The Migration Cost Surveys (MCS) project is a joint initiative of the Global Knowledge Partnership on Migration and Development (KNOMAD) and the International Labor Organization (ILO). The project was initiated to support methodological work on developing a new Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) indicator (10.7.1) on worker-paid recruitment costs. The surveys of migrant workers conducted in multiple bilateral corridors between 2015 and 2017 provide new systematic evidence of financial and some non-financial costs incurred by workers to obtain jobs abroad. The compiled dataset is divided into two waves (2015 and 2016) based on the questionnaire version used in the surveys.

Geographic coverage

Multinational coverage: - Ethiopia - India - Nepal - Pakistan - Philippines - Vietnam - Guatemala - Honduras - El Salvador

Analysis unit

KNOMAD-ILO Migration Costs Surveys (KNOMAD-ILO MCS) have the following unit of analysis: individuals

Universe

Surveys of migrants from the following corridors are included:

• Ethiopia to Saudi Arabia • India to Qatar • Nepal to Qatar • Pakistan to Saudi Arabia and United Arab Emirates • Philippines to Qatar • Vietnam to Malaysia • Guatemala, Honduras and El-Salvador to Mexico

Kind of data

Sample survey data [ssd]

Sampling procedure

All surveys conducted for this project used either convenience or snowball sampling. Sample enrollment was restricted to migrants primarily employed in low-skilled positions, who departed to the destination country, typically no more than 5 years prior to the interview year. All but two surveys using the 2015 questionnaire were conducted in the country of origin by interviewing returning migrants.The exceptions were the surveys of Vietnamese migrants in Malaysia and migrants from Guatemala, Honduras and El-Salvador in Mexico, which were administered in the destination countries (Malaysia and Mexico, respectively). Their customized questionnaires are worded in present tense when it comes to various aspect of stay in the destination country. The content of the variables remains analogous to the surveys of returnees. Please refer to Annex Table 1 of the 2015 KNOMAD-ILO MCS User Guide for a summary description of the included samples in the 2015 KNOMAD-ILO MCS dataset.

Mode of data collection

Computer Assisted Personal Interview [capi]

Research instrument

The 2015 KNOMAD-ILO Migration Costs Surveys consists of 6 survey modules:

A. Respondent Information B. Information on costs for current job C. Borrowing money for the foreign job D. Job search efforts and opportunity costs E. Work in foreign country F. Job environment

Sampling error estimates

n/a

Data appraisal

n/a