Besides rising incomes, household living standards remained stable throughout 2025.

Average per capita income in 2025 was estimated at VND5.9 million
($225) per month, marking a 9.3 percent increase from 2024, the Government News quoted preliminary findings of the Household Living Standards Survey 2025 from the National Statistics Office (NSO) as reporting.

Part of the income growth
stemmed from State payments to public officials and employees who retired or
resigned under the restructuring of the political system’s organizational
apparatus.

NSO Director Nguyen Thi
Huong noted that Viet Nam’s income structure is becoming more progressive and
sustainable, as wages and wage-like earnings account for an increasing share of
total household income.

Besides rising incomes,
household living standards remained stable throughout 2025. Household income
showed a more positive and steady pattern compared to 2024. Survey results
indicated that 31.3 percent of households reported higher income, 65 percent
saw no change, while only 2.8 percent experienced a decline, and 0.9 percent
were uncertain.

The NSO attributed income
growth and stable living conditions to several factors. 

Improved production and
business performance across all three economic sectors helped generate jobs and
boost earnings for workers and households.

Social security policies
and programs were implemented promptly and effectively, positively affecting
living standards. These included continued allowances and support for people
who rendered services to the nation, the poor, disadvantaged groups and social
protection beneficiaries.

Emergency relief and
post-disaster assistance were also delivered in a timely manner, with total
support reaching VND92.4 trillion, an increase of VND22.6 trillion, or 32.4
percent, compared to 2024.

The nationwide program to
eliminate temporary and dilapidated houses was highlighted as a key initiative.
In addition, average worker income rose by 8.9% year-on-year, employment remained
stable, and the unemployment rate stayed low and improved compared to 2024,
reflecting a more positive labor market and higher household earnings.

Policies targeting public
officials, employees, workers and the armed forces in the context of streamlining
the political system also contributed to income growth and the creation of new
livelihoods for part of the population. Ongoing support for free health
insurance and medical examination cards for eligible groups further helped ease
healthcare-related financial pressures.

Nevertheless, the NSO
noted that a small proportion of households continued to face difficulties.
Among the 2.8 percent of households reporting lower income in 2025, the main
causes were job loss or temporary work suspension (37.5 percent), reduced
production or business scale (24.1 percent), rising input costs (21.2 percent)
and declining product prices (19.5 percent).

Natural disasters,
including floods, storms and droughts, continued to damage housing and
livelihoods, increasing vulnerability, particularly in rural, mountainous and
coastal areas.

To sustain income growth
and further improve living standards in 2026, the NSO recommended that the
Government and local authorities continue to effectively implement social
security programs, enhance job quality and employment opportunities, ensure
timely support for vulnerable groups, and strengthen disaster preparedness and
climate change adaptation through early warning systems, safe residential
planning and support for livelihood transitions.

VGP-Pham Long