In 2024, the employment rate in China decreased to around 62.4 percent, from 62.8 percent in the previous year. China is the world’s most populous country and its rapid economic development over the past decades has profited greatly from its large labor market. While the overall working conditions for the Chinese people are improving, the actual size of the working-age population in China has been shrinking steadily in recent years. This is mainly due to a low birth rate in the country. Economic slowdown – impact on labor market After decades of rapid development, the world’s second largest economy now seems to have difficulties to boost its economy further. The GDP growth rate indicated a declining trend over the last decade and the number of employed people decreased for the first time since decades in 2015. Under the influence of the global economic downturn, the coronavirus pandemic, and the US-China tensions, many Chinese enterprises are having tough times, which leads to a recession in China’s labor market. Chances for better employment situation The long-lasting Sino-U.S. trade war has caused China great loss on its international trade sector, which has been driving China’s economic growth for decades. However, there is also a lot China could improve. First, the potential of domestic demands could be further developed and satisfied with high-quality products. Second, it’s a good timing to eliminate backward industries with low value added, and the high-tech and environment-friendly industries should be further promoted. In addition, China’s market could be more open to services, especially in the financial sector and IT services, to attract more foreign investors. Highly skilled talents should be better valued in the labor market. Efficient vocational education and further education could also help change the structure of China’s labor market.

In September 2025, the surveyed unemployment rate in urban areas of China ranged at 5.2 percent, down from 5.3 percent in the previous month. The annual unemployment rate in China was 5.1 percent in 2024. Surveyed versus registered unemployment Figures on surveyed unemployment were published by the National Bureau of Statistics of China in 2018 for the first time. The use of surveys was initiated to get a more accurate picture of actual unemployment in urban areas of China. The surveys cover all permanent residents between the age of 16 and retirement age living in cities. In contrast, registered unemployment figures take only those people into account that have actively reported their unemployment. As most migrant workers and other groups that do not qualify for unemployment compensations in China normally do not report their unemployment status, the figures for registered unemployment are considerably lower than those for surveyed unemployment. Youth unemployment in China Youth unemployment has become a growing problem in China in recent years. Unemployment figures for young people fluctuate over the year and normally peak in July and August in China, when the largest number of graduates enter the job market. The youth unemployment rate increased from 13.9 percent in July 2019 to 16.8 percent in July 2020, 19.9 percent in July 2022, and 21.3 percent in June 2023. This is mainly due to difficult economic conditions and rising numbers of college graduates who often do not fit the demand for more practically skilled work in the job market.

Graph and download economic data for Employment to Population Ratio for China (SLEMPTOTLSPZSCHN) from 1991 to 2024 about employment-population ratio, China, population, and employment.

Actual value and historical data chart for China Employment In Industry Percent Of Total Employment

China Total Employment data was reported at 733,510.000 Person th in 2022. This records a decrease from the previous number of 746,520.000 Person th for 2021. China Total Employment data is updated yearly, averaging 746,470.000 Person th from Dec 1990 (Median) to 2022, with 33 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 763,490.000 Person th in 2014 and a record low of 647,490.000 Person th in 1990. China Total Employment data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development. The data is categorized under Global Database’s China – Table CN.OECD.MSTI: Population, Labour Force and Employment: Non OECD Member: Annual.

The national breakdown by source of funds does not fully match with the classification defined in the Frascati Manual. The R&D financed by the government, business enterprises, and by the rest of the world can be retrieved but part of the expenditure has no specific source of financing, i.e. self-raised funding (in particular for independent research institutions), the funds from the higher education sector and left-over government grants from previous years.

The government and higher education sectors cover all fields of NSE and SSH while the business enterprise sector only covers the fields of NSE. There are only few organisations in the private non-profit sector, hence no R&D survey has been carried out in this sector and the data are not available.

From 2009, researcher data are collected according to the Frascati Manual definition of researcher. Beforehand, this was only the case for independent research institutions, while for the other sectors data were collected according to the UNESCO concept of “scientist and engineer”.

In 2009, the survey coverage in the business and the government sectors has been expanded.

Before 2000, all of the personnel data and 95% of the expenditure data in the business enterprise sector are for large and medium-sized enterprises only. Since 2000 however, the survey covers almost all industries and all enterprises above a certain threshold. In 2000 and 2004, a census of all enterprises was held, while in the intermediate years data for small enterprises are estimated.

Due to the reform of the S&T system some government institutions have become enterprises, and their R&D data have been reflected in the Business Enterprise sector since 2000.

The graph shows the number of employed people in China from 2014 to 2024. In 2024, the workforce in China amounted to around 734.4 million people. This marked an annual decrease of six million and is in line with a general downward trend since 2014. Workforce in China China’s total population has been declining since 2022 and dropped by 1.4 million annually to around 1.408 billion as of the end of 2024. This development is also reflected in the number of people in working age which has been shrinking since 2014. The labor force of China, which refers to the population aged 16 and over and capable of working, has been declining since 2016 and ranged at around 772.2 million in 2023. Out of the total number of employed people in 2023, about 470.3 million people were employed in urban areas, while 270.1 million people were working in rural areas. Distribution of the workforce The share of the workforce employed in the primary sector declined significantly from 36.7 percent in 2010 to 22.8 percent in 2023, only interrupted in 2022 by effects related to the COVID-19 pandemic. While the percentage of people employed in the primary sector decreased, the tertiary sector gained importance. As of 2023, about 29.1 percent of Chinese workers were employed in secondary and 48.1 percent in tertiary industries. The share of the workforce employed in the secondary sector increased until 2012 but decreased thereafter due to China's shift towards a service driven economy.

Unemployment Rate in China decreased to 5.10 percent in October from 5.20 percent in September of 2025. This dataset provides - China Unemployment Rate - actual values, historical data, forecast, chart, statistics, economic calendar and news.

Employment in services (% of total employment) (modeled ILO estimate) in China was reported at 45.83 % in 2023, according to the World Bank collection of development indicators, compiled from officially recognized sources. China - Employment in services (% of total employment) - actual values, historical data, forecasts and projections were sourced from the World Bank on November of 2025.

Techsalerator's Job Openings Data for China: A Comprehensive Resource for Employment Insights

Techsalerator's Job Openings Data for China offers a detailed and essential resource for businesses, job seekers, and labor market analysts. This dataset provides an in-depth view of job openings across various industries in China, collating information from numerous sources such as company websites, job boards, and recruitment agencies.

Key Data Fields

• Job Posting Date: Captures the listing date for each job opening, keeping job seekers and HR professionals up-to-date with the latest opportunities and market trends.
• Job Title: Details the specific role being advertised, helping categorize and filter job openings by industry and career focus.
• Company Name: Lists the hiring organizations, enabling job seekers to focus their applications and helping businesses monitor competitors and industry trends.
• Job Location: Specifies the geographic location of the job within China, aiding job seekers in finding regional opportunities and assisting employers in evaluating regional labor markets.
• Job Description: Provides comprehensive information about the responsibilities, qualifications, and skills required, offering clarity to both candidates and recruiters.

Top 5 Job Categories in China

1. Information Technology (IT): A booming sector with high demand for software developers, data scientists, and cybersecurity experts due to the rapid growth of China's digital economy.
2. Manufacturing: Significant demand for engineers, production managers, and skilled laborers in one of the world’s largest manufacturing hubs.
3. Finance and Banking: High demand for financial analysts, investment managers, and compliance officers as China’s financial sector continues to expand.
4. Healthcare: Roles for doctors, nurses, and healthcare administrators driven by the increasing demand for healthcare services due to population growth and aging.
5. E-Commerce and Retail: Opportunities for logistics managers, supply chain analysts, and digital marketing specialists, reflecting China's leadership in the global e-commerce market.

Top 5 Employers in China

1. Alibaba Group: A leading e-commerce company with frequent openings in logistics, IT, marketing, and management roles.
2. Tencent: A technology giant offering positions in software development, gaming, and cloud computing.
3. China National Petroleum Corporation (CNPC): Major employer in the energy sector with roles in engineering, management, and technical services.
4. China Construction Bank: One of the largest banks in China, regularly hiring in areas like banking operations, financial analysis, and customer service.
5. Huawei Technologies: A global telecommunications company offering roles in R&D, engineering, sales, and project management.

Accessing Techsalerator’s Data

To access Techsalerator’s Job Openings Data for China, please contact info@techsalerator.com with your specific data requirements. We will provide a customized quote based on the data fields and records you need, with delivery available within 24 hours. Ongoing access options can also be discussed.

Included Data Fields

• Job Posting Date
• Job Title
• Company Name
• Job Location
• Job Description
• Application Deadline
• Job Type (Full-time, Part-time, Contract)
• Salary Range
• Required Qualifications
• Contact Information

Techsalerator’s dataset serves as a valuable tool for tracking employment trends and job opportunities in China, empowering businesses, job seekers, and analysts to make informed decisions.

In 2023, China's labor force amounted to approximately 772.2 million people. The labor force in China indicated a general decreasing trend in recent years. As both the size of the population in working age and the share of the population participating in the labor market are declining, this downward trend will most likely persist in the foreseeable future. A country’s labor force is defined as the total number of employable people and incorporates both the employed and the unemployed population. Population challenges for China One of the reasons for the shrinking labor force is the Chinese one-child policy, which had been in effect for nearly 40 years, until it was revoked in 2016. The controversial policy was intended to improve people’s living standards and optimize resource distribution through controlling the size of China’s expanding population. Nonetheless, the policy also led to negative impacts on the labor market, pension system and other societal aspects. Today, China is becoming an aging society. The increase of elderly people and the lack of young people will become a big challenge for China in this century. Employment in China Despite the slowing down of economic growth, China’s unemployment rate has sustained a relatively low rate. Complete production chains and a well-educated labor force make China’s labor market one of the most attractive in the world. Working conditions and salaries in China have also improved significantly over the past years. Due to China’s leading position in terms of talent in the technology industry, the country is now attracting investment from some of the world’s leading companies in the high-tech sector.

China Employment: % Change over Previous Period data was reported at 0.048 % in 2017. This records a decrease from the previous number of 0.196 % for 2016. China Employment: % Change over Previous Period data is updated yearly, averaging 0.810 % from Dec 1986 (Median) to 2017, with 32 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 15.507 % in 1990 and a record low of 0.048 % in 2017. China Employment: % Change over Previous Period data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by International Monetary Fund. The data is categorized under Global Database’s China – Table CN.IMF.IFS: Labour Force, Employment and Unemployment: Annual.

The statistic shows the distribution of the workforce across economic sectors in China from 2014 to 2024. In 2024, around 22.2 percent of the workforce were employed in the agricultural sector, 29 percent in the industrial sector and 48.8 percent in the service sector. In 2022, the share of agriculture had increased for the first time in more than two decades, which highlights the difficult situation of the labor market due to the pandemic and economic downturn at the end of the year. Distribution of the workforce in China In 2012, China became the largest exporting country worldwide with an export value of about two trillion U.S. dollars. China’s economic system is largely based on growth and export, with the manufacturing sector being a crucial contributor to the country’s export competitiveness. Economic development was accompanied by a steady rise of labor costs, as well as a significant slowdown in labor force growth. These changes present a serious threat to the era of China as the world’s factory. The share of workforce in agriculture also steadily decreased in China until 2021, while the agricultural gross production value displayed continuous growth, amounting to approximately 7.8 trillion yuan in 2021. Development of the service sector Since 2011, the largest share of China’s labor force has been employed in the service sector. However, compared with developed countries, such as Japan or the United States, where 73 and 79 percent of the work force were active in services in 2023 respectively, the proportion of people working in the tertiary sector in China has been relatively low. The Chinese government aims to continue economic reform by moving from an emphasis on investment to consumption, among other measures. This might lead to a stronger service economy. Meanwhile, the size of the urban middle class in China is growing steadily. A growing number of affluent middle class consumers could promote consumption and help China move towards a balanced economy.

Employment: Urban: Beijing data was reported at 9.890 Person mn in 2023. This records a decrease from the previous number of 9.910 Person mn for 2022. Employment: Urban: Beijing data is updated yearly, averaging 8.471 Person mn from Dec 1993 (Median) to 2023, with 31 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 15.696 Person mn in 2018 and a record low of 4.563 Person mn in 2000. Employment: Urban: Beijing data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security. The data is categorized under China Premium Database’s Labour Market – Table CN.GB: Employment: Region.

China Employment: Urban: New Increased: Year to Date data was reported at 3,080.000 Person th in Mar 2025. This records a decrease from the previous number of 12,560.000 Person th for Dec 2024. China Employment: Urban: New Increased: Year to Date data is updated quarterly, averaging 9,310.000 Person th from Dec 2004 (Median) to Mar 2025, with 71 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 13,610.000 Person th in Dec 2018 and a record low of 2,290.000 Person th in Mar 2020. China Employment: Urban: New Increased: Year to Date data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security. The data is categorized under China Premium Database’s Labour Market – Table CN.GB: Employment.

View monthly updates and historical trends for China Urban Survey Unemployment Rate. Source: National Bureau of Statistics of China. Track economic data w…

Employment statistics on the IT Services industry in China

Actual value and historical data chart for China Employment In Agriculture Percent Of Total Employment

China: Employment in agriculture, % of total employment: The latest value from 2023 is 22.33 percent, a decline from 22.76 percent in 2022. In comparison, the world average is 22.33 percent, based on data from 177 countries. Historically, the average for China from 1991 to 2023 is 40.13 percent. The minimum value, 22.33 percent, was reached in 2023 while the maximum of 59.7 percent was recorded in 1991.

Employment statistics on the Online Shopping industry in China

China Employment: Primary Industry data was reported at 168.820 Person mn in 2023. This records a decrease from the previous number of 176.630 Person mn for 2022. China Employment: Primary Industry data is updated yearly, averaging 285.155 Person mn from Dec 1952 (Median) to 2023, with 72 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 390.981 Person mn in 1991 and a record low of 154.900 Person mn in 1958. China Employment: Primary Industry data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security. The data is categorized under Global Database’s China – Table CN.GB: Employment.