Labour Costs in China decreased to 59.40 points in April from 63 points in March of 2025. This dataset provides - China Labour Costs - actual values, historical data, forecast, chart, statistics, economic calendar and news.

In 2018, manufacturing labor costs in China were estimated to be 5.51 U.S. dollars per hour. This is compared to an estimated 4.45 U.S. dollars per hour in Mexico, and 2.73 U.S. dollars in Vietnam.

Manufacturing jobs in the United States

Many people in the United States believe manufacturing jobs to be the backbone of the U.S. economy, despite employment in the manufacturing sector decreasing since 1997, and the monthly change in manufacturing employment being highly variable. Although manufacturing added a value of about 10 percent to the U.S. gross domestic product (GDP) in 2018, employment in the United States has been moving away from manufacturing to other means of employment.

A difference in earnings

Part of this steering away from manufacturing could be due to a difference in labor costs. While hourly wages in Vietnam were less than three U.S. dollars in 2018, hourly wages in the U.S. manufacturing sector hovered around 27 U.S. dollars in 2018. The labor costs in the U.S. could simply be too high for companies, who look to countries such as China, Mexico, and Vietnam for cheaper labor.

In March 2025, China's monthly labor cost index ranged at ** index points. This was up from **** points in the previous month.

Wages in China increased to 120698 CNY/Year in 2023 from 114029 CNY/Year in 2022. This dataset provides - China Average Yearly Wages - actual values, historical data, forecast, chart, statistics, economic calendar and news.

Minimum Wages in China increased to 2690 CNY/Month in 2025 from 2590 CNY/Month in 2024. This dataset provides - China Minimum Wages- actual values, historical data, forecast, chart, statistics, economic calendar and news.

Wages in Manufacturing in China increased to 103932 CNY/Year in 2023 from 97528 CNY/Year in 2022. This dataset provides - China Average Yearly Wages in Manufacturing - actual values, historical data, forecast, chart, statistics, economic calendar and news.

In 2023, the labor force participation rate for males in China remained nearly unchanged at around 72.11 percent. In comparison to 2022, the rate decreased not significantly by 0.5 percentage points (-0.69 percent). Male labor force participation is the share of men over 15 years who are economically active. For example, all men providing labor in a specific period for the production of goods and services.Find more statistics on other topics about China with key insights such as female labor force participation rate.

Labor force participation rate, total (% of total population ages 15+) (modeled ILO estimate) in China was reported at 65.39 % in 2024, according to the World Bank collection of development indicators, compiled from officially recognized sources. China - Labor participation rate, total (% of total population ages 15+) - actual values, historical data, forecasts and projections were sourced from the World Bank on May of 2025.

China labor force participation rate for 2023 was 48.32%, a 0.1% decline from 2022.

<ul style='margin-top:20px;'>

<li>China labor force participation rate for 2022 was <strong>48.42%</strong>, a <strong>0.34% decline</strong> from 2021.</li>
<li>China labor force participation rate for 2021 was <strong>48.76%</strong>, a <strong>1.87% increase</strong> from 2020.</li>
<li>China labor force participation rate for 2020 was <strong>46.88%</strong>, a <strong>3.08% decline</strong> from 2019.</li>
</ul>Labor force participation rate for ages 15-24 is the proportion of the population ages 15-24 that is economically active: all people who supply labor for the production of goods and services during a specified period.

In 2023, the employment rate in China decreased to around 63.09 percent, from 63.57 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.

China Competitiveness Indicator: Relative Unit Labour Costs: Overall Economy data was reported at 97.921 2015=100 in 2025. This records a decrease from the previous number of 98.035 2015=100 for 2024. China Competitiveness Indicator: Relative Unit Labour Costs: Overall Economy data is updated yearly, averaging 74.713 2015=100 from Dec 1995 (Median) to 2025, with 31 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 102.164 2015=100 in 2022 and a record low of 34.753 2015=100 in 1995. China Competitiveness Indicator: Relative Unit Labour Costs: Overall Economy 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.EO: Trade Statistics: Competitiveness Indicators In International Trade: Forecast: Non OECD Member: Annual. ULCDR - Indicator of competitiveness based on relative unit labour costs in total economyCompetitiveness-weighted relative unit labour costs for the overall economy in dollar terms. Competitiveness weights take into account the structure of competition in both export and import markets of the goods sector of 53 countries. An increase in the index indicates a real effective appreciation and a corresponding deterioration of the competitive position. Index, OECD reference year OECD calculation, see OECD Economic Outlook database documentation

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

In 2025, the minimum hourly wage in Beijing was the highest in China at 26.4 yuan per hour. In the past decade, China has been shifting from a cheap labor driven economy to more matured, service-oriented markets and industries. While the economy continues to grow, prices and wages keep on increasing as well. How do wages differ across the country? China’s provinces and municipalities are divided into districts of different levels. Most provinces set different minimum wages for different districts depending on the cost of living and level of development. Usually, provincial capitals and major cities enjoy higher hourly wages than smaller towns and rural areas of the same province. In 2025, the highest minimum hourly wages in China were to be found in Beijing and Tianjin municipalities with 26.4 and 24.4 yuan respectively, whereas employees in Hainan province who received a minimum wage were paid the least – between 16.3 and 17.9 yuan per hour. Minimum monthly wages that year were the highest in Shanghai and the lowest in Qinghai province. The average annual salary in urban China was around 120,700 yuan in 2023. What are the prospects? Regional governments in China are required to update their minimum wages at least every few years. Hebei, Fujian, and Guangdong – provinces that have not adjusted minimum wages in the past two years – are likely to do so in 2025. Along with economic development, increasing living standards, increasing prices and a shrinking labor force, overall minimum wages will likely continue growing in China.

Key information about China Labour Productivity Growth

• China Labour Productivity improved by 5.84 % YoY in Dec 2024, compared with a growth of 4.43 % in the previous year
• China Labour Productivity Growth data is updated yearly, available from Dec 1953 to Dec 2024, averaging at 7.34 %
• The data reached an all-time high of 15.12 % in Dec 1970 and a record low of -26.48 % in Dec 1961

CEIC calculates Labour Productivity Growth from annual Real GDP Index and annual Employment. The National Bureau of Statistics provides Real GDP, at 1978 prices. The Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security provides Employment. Employment excludes Foreign Nationals working within the country. Real GDP prior to 1979 is based on Real GDP PY=100.


Further information about China Labour Productivity Growth

• In the latest reports, China Population reached 1,408.28 Person mn in Dec 2024
• Its Unemployment Rate remained the same at 5.10 % in Dec 2024
• Monthly Earnings of China stood at 1,392.46 USD in Dec 2023
• The country's Labour Force Participation Rate increased to 65.83 % in Dec 2023

Labor force participation rate, female (% of female population ages 15+) (modeled ILO estimate) in China was reported at 59.95 % in 2023, according to the World Bank collection of development indicators, compiled from officially recognized sources. China - Labor participation rate, female (% of female population ages 15+) - actual values, historical data, forecasts and projections were sourced from the World Bank on April of 2025.

Labor force participation rate for ages 15-24, male (%) (modeled ILO estimate) in China was reported at 50.03 % in 2024, according to the World Bank collection of development indicators, compiled from officially recognized sources. China - Labor force participation rate for ages 15-24, male (modeled ILO estimate) - actual values, historical data, forecasts and projections were sourced from the World Bank on June of 2025.

Ratio of female to male labor force participation rate (%) (modeled ILO estimate) in China was reported at 83.76 % in 2024, according to the World Bank collection of development indicators, compiled from officially recognized sources. China - Ratio of female to male labor participation rate - actual values, historical data, forecasts and projections were sourced from the World Bank on May of 2025.

According to a survey conducted among U.S. enterprises in China in 2022, 84 percent of companies believed labor costs would increase to varying extents. The resources & industrial sector as well as Tech and R&D expected the largest increases, with 95 and 86 percent of companies respectively anticipating costs per employee rising by 5 percent or more.

Key information about China Labour Force Participation Rate

• China Labour Force Participation Rate increased to 65.8 % in Dec 2023, compared with 65.8 % in the previous year.
• China Labour Force Participation Rate is updated yearly, available from Dec 1990 to Dec 2023, with an average rate of 72.1 % .
• The data reached the an all-time high of 79.2 % in Dec 1990 and a record low of 65.8 % in Dec 2022.
• China Labour Force Participation Rate is reported by reported by CEIC Data.
• In the latest reports, China Population reached 1,408.3 million people in Dec 2024.
• Unemployment Rate of China remained the same at 5.1 % in Dec 2024.
• The country's Monthly Earnings stood at 1,392.5 USD in Dec 2023.

Total Wage Index: Urban Non-private: Heilongjiang data was reported at 100.190 Prev Year=100 in 2023. This records a decrease from the previous number of 104.904 Prev Year=100 for 2022. Total Wage Index: Urban Non-private: Heilongjiang data is updated yearly, averaging 107.700 Prev Year=100 from Dec 1995 (Median) to 2023, with 29 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 117.400 Prev Year=100 in 2007 and a record low of 97.968 Prev Year=100 in 2020. Total Wage Index: Urban Non-private: Heilongjiang data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by National Bureau of Statistics. The data is categorized under China Premium Database’s Labour Market – Table CN.GC: Wage Index.