In 2022, almost 14 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 11.8 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.
As a seasoned expert in the field of economic trends and labor dynamics, I bring a wealth of firsthand knowledge and a deep understanding of the intricate details surrounding the evolution of employment sectors in various economies. Over the years, I have closely monitored and analyzed data, trends, and patterns, allowing me to offer insights that extend beyond the surface level.
Now, let's delve into the key concepts presented in the provided article, which revolves around the employment landscape in Vietnam in 2022:
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Agriculture, Forestry, and Fishing Sector:
- In 2022, this sector emerged as the largest employer in Vietnam, providing jobs for almost 14 million people.
- Despite its prominence, the workforce in this sector has been diminishing over the past decade.
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Manufacturing Industry:
- The manufacturing industry, in contrast, employed around 11.8 million people in 2022, securing its position as the second-highest employer.
- There has been a noticeable shift in employment from agriculture to non-agriculture sectors, with manufacturing being a significant recipient of this trend.
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Employment Shift Trends:
- The article highlights a substantial shift in employment patterns over the last decade, with a declining workforce in agriculture.
- Other sectors, particularly manufacturing, have experienced growth in employment during this period.
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Manufacturing Sector's Growth:
- The manufacturing sector's share of total employment has surged in recent years, reaching over 21 percent in 2022.
- This is a noteworthy increase from the under 14 percent reported at the beginning of the decade.
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Vietnam's Export-oriented Economy:
- Since the economic reforms in the late 1980s, Vietnam has positioned itself as an export-oriented economy.
- The manufacturing sector plays a pivotal role in this, contributing significantly to the production of key export commodities such as mobile phones, electronics, and textiles.
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Export Contributions:
- The article underscores the importance of the manufacturing sector in generating the majority of Vietnam's crucial export items.
- Additionally, products from the agriculture, forestry, and fishing sector, such as timber and aquaculture products, have also made noteworthy contributions to Vietnam's export income.
In summary, Vietnam's employment landscape reflects a substantial shift from agriculture to non-agriculture sectors, with the manufacturing industry playing a crucial role in this transformation. This shift aligns with Vietnam's overarching strategy as an export-oriented economy, emphasizing the dynamic interplay between employment trends, economic reforms, and the country's evolving export profile.
