3.1 AGRICULTURAL LABOUR
Agricultural labourers include people of working age and above working age but still working, whose main or
secondary occupation is agricultural production, whether employed or self-employed. Students, pupils and young
people below 15 years of age are excluded. The total number of agricultural labourers in Vietnam is 24 693 900, of
which 12 376 995 (50.1%) are male and 12 316 905 (49.9%) are female. The number of male agricultural labourers
ranges from 542 279 in the North West region to 3 271 943 in the Mekong River Delta. The number of female
agricultural labourers ranges from 542 978 in the North West region to 2 944 205 in the Mekong River Delta. The
share of men and women participating in the agricultural labour force is almost equal across the regions. In the
Red River Delta and the North East regions women slightly dominate the agricultural labour force whereas in the
South Central Coast, Central Highlands, South East and Mekong River Delta regions men slightly dominate the
agricultural labour force (Chart 3.1, and Map 3.1 and Map 3.2).
The average age is 37 for both male and female agricultural labourers. The average age for male labourers ranges
between 34 in the North West region to 40 in the Red River Delta and the North Central Coast regions. The
average age of female agricultural labourers varies between 33 years in the North West region and 39 in the Red
River Delta, North and South Central Coast regions.