Vulnerable employment — all countries

Vulnerable employment — East Asia & Pacific

Vulnerable employment in East Asia & Pacific in 2025 — 35.25%. Since 1991, the indicator has fallen by 17.16 pp.

2025 35.25% −0.31 pp vs 2024
World rank
Period maximum 52.41%1991
Period minimum 35.25%2025

Trend over time

1991–2025 · % of employment

Vulnerable employment — East Asia & Pacific, 1991–2025354045505519911995199920032007201120152019202320251991: 52.41%1992: 51.92%1993: 51.29%1994: 50.74%1995: 50.15%1996: 49.56%1997: 48.94%1998: 48.73%1999: 48.29%2000: 47.92%2001: 46.97%2002: 46.52%2003: 46.11%2004: 45.15%2005: 44.42%2006: 43.77%2007: 43.26%2008: 42.6%2009: 42.01%2010: 41.42%2011: 40.74%2012: 40.02%2013: 39.48%2014: 38.87%2015: 37.99%2016: 37.5%2017: 37.09%2018: 36.75%2019: 36.4%2020: 36.7%2021: 36.43%2022: 36.21%2023: 35.96%2024: 35.57%2025: 35.25%
Change over the period: −17.16 pp Annual average: -0.5 pp

Comparison, 2025

How the value compares with the world and the groups this territory belongs to: East Asia & Pacific

East Asia & Pacific 35.25%
World 42.38%
Vulnerable employment — East Asia & Pacific, by year East Asia & Pacific All countries CSV XLSX
Year % Change, pp
2025 35.25 −0.31 pp
2024 35.57 −0.39 pp
2023 35.96 −0.25 pp
2022 36.21 −0.22 pp
2021 36.43 −0.27 pp
2020 36.7 +0.29 pp
2019 36.4 −0.34 pp
2018 36.75 −0.34 pp
2017 37.09 −0.41 pp
2016 37.5 −0.49 pp
2015 37.99 −0.88 pp
2014 38.87 −0.61 pp
2013 39.48 −0.54 pp
2012 40.02 −0.72 pp
2011 40.74 −0.69 pp
2010 41.42 −0.58 pp
2009 42.01 −0.59 pp
2008 42.6 −0.66 pp
2007 43.26 −0.51 pp
2006 43.77 −0.65 pp
2005 44.42 −0.72 pp
2004 45.15 −0.96 pp
2003 46.11 −0.42 pp
2002 46.52 −0.44 pp
2001 46.97 −0.95 pp
2000 47.92 −0.37 pp
1999 48.29 −0.44 pp
1998 48.73 −0.21 pp
1997 48.94 −0.63 pp
1996 49.56 −0.59 pp
1995 50.15 −0.59 pp
1994 50.74 −0.54 pp
1993 51.29 −0.63 pp
1992 51.92 −0.5 pp
1991 52.41

About the indicator

The share of own-account workers and contributing family workers in total employment. The ILO devised the category as a substitute for informal employment where informality is not measured: such workers usually have no employment contract, no social insurance and no protection against dismissal, and their income depends directly on what they produce. In the poorest countries this share exceeds three quarters of the employed — wage work there is closer to an exception.

Important: Not the same as informal employment: an employee without a contract does not fall into this category, though they are no better protected. The indicator understates informality in countries where off-the-books hiring is widespread.

Source: ILOSTAT (ILO), license CC BY 4.0.