Vietnam launches nationwide rural, agricultural census

Conducted from July 1 to 30, the census aims to gather comprehensive data on agriculture, forestry, fisheries, and rural labor structure nationwide.

According to the National Statistics Office, under the Ministry of Finance, the census results are expected to enable Vietnam to evaluate current conditions and trends, build plans and strategies for sustainable development for rural areas and the agro-forestry-fishery sector, and then improve the living standards of rural residents.

The census will serve studies assessing the scale and structure of rural labor, changes in rural infrastructure, the implementation of national target programs, and international comparisons.

It also aims to build a robust database on rural areas, agriculture, forestry, and fisheries, supporting in-depth research and other statistical needs.

The census will cover individuals working in agriculture, forestry, and fisheries; households; farms; enterprises; cooperatives; and commune-level administrations.

It will combine a full enumeration of these units with a sampling method for collecting detailed data from selected agricultural households.

Two information-gathering methods will be used, including direct interviews and indirect data collection from designated units.

Nguyen Thi Huong, head of the National Statistics Office, emphasized that the 2025 census is one of the three major national statistical surveys and plays a vital role in providing a comprehensive snapshot of Vietnam’s rural and agricultural landscape.

This marks the sixth national rural and agricultural census since 1994, conducted at a time when Vietnam is intensifying its green transition, promoting sustainable agriculture, and fulfilling international commitments on rural development, poverty reduction, and climate change.

As of 2024, Vietnam’s rural population reached approximately 62.5 million, accounting for 61.8 percent of the national population.