The year-on-year growth was stronger than the 9.1% seen in 2024, according to preliminary results from the Household Living Standards Survey 2025 conducted by the National Statistics Office.
Part of this increase was attributed to income related to public officials and employees retiring or resigning following the streamlining of the political system’s organizational apparatus.
Nguyen Thi Huong, the office’s director, said the income structure is shifting in a more progressive and sustainable direction, with the proportion of wages and wage-like earnings in total household income continuing to rise.
The survey indicated that household living standards remained stable throughout 2025. Household income during the year showed a more stable and positive trend than in 2024.
More than a quarter of surveyed households (31.3%) reported higher incomes, nearly two-thirds (65%) said their income was unchanged, while only 2.8% reported a decline and 0.9% were unsure.
The office attributed the increase in income and the stability of living standards to several factors. Production and business performance across all three economic sectors improved, contributing to job creation and higher earnings for workers and households.
Social security programs and policies were implemented in a timely and effective manner, generating positive impacts on living conditions.
Key measures included continued support and allowances for people who rendered services to the nation, the poor, disadvantaged groups and social protection beneficiaries. Emergency assistance and post-disaster relief were also promptly delivered, with total support reaching VND92.4 trillion, up 32.4%, from 2024. The nationwide program to eliminate temporary and dilapidated houses was also highlighted.
In addition, the average worker income rose by 8.9% year-on-year, while employment levels were maintained and the unemployment rate remained low and improved compared to 2024. These trends reflect a more positive labor market, with higher worker incomes contributing to increased household earnings.
Policies related to public officials, employees, workers and the armed forces in the context of streamlining the political system also helped raise incomes and create new livelihoods for part of the population. Continued support for free health insurance cards and medical examination cards for eligible groups further eased healthcare-related financial burdens.
However, the office noted that a small proportion of households still faced difficulties. Among households reporting lower income in 2025 (2.8%), the main reasons included job loss or temporary suspension of work (37.5%), reduced production or business scale (24.1%), higher input costs (21.2%) and lower selling prices of products (19.5%).
Natural disasters such as floods, storms and droughts continued to cause damage to housing and livelihoods, increasing vulnerability, particularly in rural, mountainous and coastal areas.
To ensure continued growth in per capita income and further improvements in living standards in 2026, the office recommended that the government and local authorities continue to effectively implement social security programs, improve job quality and employment opportunities, maintain timely support for vulnerable groups, and strengthen disaster preparedness and climate change adaptation through early warning systems, safe residential planning and livelihood transition support.
