In 2023, the rate of surveyed unemployment in urban areas of China amounted to approximately 5.2 percent. The unemployment rate is expected to decrease slightly to 5.1 percent in 2024 and the following years. Monthly unemployment ranged at a level of around 5.2 percent in the third quarter of 2024. Unemployment rate in China In 2017, the National Statistics Bureau of China introduced surveyed unemployment as a new indicator of unemployment in the country. It is based on monthly surveys among the labor force in urban areas of China. Surveyed unemployment replaced registered unemployment figures, which were often criticized for missing out large parts of the urban labor force and thereby not presenting a true picture of urban unemployment levels. However, current unemployment figures still do not include rural areas.A main concern in China’s current state of employment lies within the large regional differences. As of 2021, the unemployment rate in northeastern regions of China was notably higher than in China’s southern parts. In Beijing, China’s political and cultural center, registered unemployment ranged at around 3.2 percent for 2021. Indicators of economic activities Apart from the unemployment rate, most commonly used indicators to measure economic activities of a country are GDP growth and inflation rate. According to an IMF forecast, GDP growth in China will decrease to about 4.8 percent in 2024, after 5.2 percent in 2023, depicting a decrease of six percentage points from 10.6 percent in 2010. Quarterly growth data published by the National Bureau of Statistics indicated 4.6 percent GDP growth for the third quarter of 2024.

In December 2024, the surveyed unemployment rate in urban areas of China ranged at 5.1 percent, up from 5.0 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.

China Unemployment Rate: Age 16 to 24 data was reported at 21.300 % in Jun 2023. This records an increase from the previous number of 20.800 % for May 2023. China Unemployment Rate: Age 16 to 24 data is updated monthly, averaging 13.700 % from Jan 2018 (Median) to Jun 2023, with 66 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 21.300 % in Jun 2023 and a record low of 9.600 % in May 2018. China Unemployment Rate: Age 16 to 24 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.GB: Surveyed Unemployment. According to NBS news, from Aug 2023, the urban surveyed unemployment rate of the young people by age group will be suspend. 根据国家统计局新闻发布会，自2023年8月份起，全国青年人等分年龄段的城镇调查失业率将暂停发布.

In 2023, the youth unemployment rate in China increased by 0.9 percentage points (+6.06 percent) compared to 2022. With 15.72 percent, the youth unemployment rate thereby reached its highest value in the observed period. The youth unemployment rate refers to the share of the economically active population aged 15 to 24 currently without work but in search of employment. The youth unemployment rate does not include economically inactive persons such as the long-term unemployed or full-time students.Find more key insights for the youth unemployment rate in countries like Japan and Mongolia.

China Unemployment Rate: % Change data was reported at -2.353 % in 2017. This records a decrease from the previous number of -0.247 % for 2016. China Unemployment Rate: % Change data is updated yearly, averaging 0.000 % from Dec 1986 (Median) to 2017, with 32 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 30.000 % in 1989 and a record low of -8.000 % in 1991. China Unemployment Rate: % Change 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.

Graph and download economic data for Infra-Annual Registered Unemployment and Job Vacancies: Total Economy: Registered Unemployment for China (LMUNRRTTCNQ156S) from Q1 2003 to Q3 2011 about China, unemployment, and rate.

Registered Unemployment Rate: Urban: Sichuan data was reported at 3.600 % in 2021. This records a decrease from the previous number of 3.630 % for 2020. Registered Unemployment Rate: Urban: Sichuan data is updated yearly, averaging 4.015 % from Dec 1980 (Median) to 2021, with 34 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 5.500 % in 1980 and a record low of 2.300 % in 1985. Registered Unemployment Rate: Urban: Sichuan 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: Registered Unemployment.

Registered Unemployment Rate: Urban: Fujian data was reported at 3.330 % in 2021. This records a decrease from the previous number of 3.820 % for 2020. Registered Unemployment Rate: Urban: Fujian data is updated yearly, averaging 3.645 % from Dec 1980 (Median) to 2021, with 34 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 7.000 % in 1980 and a record low of 1.500 % in 1993. Registered Unemployment Rate: Urban: Fujian 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: Registered Unemployment.

Surveyed Unemployment Rate: Urban: Average: Shandong data was reported at 5.700 % in Jun 2022. This stayed constant from the previous number of 5.700 % for Mar 2022. Surveyed Unemployment Rate: Urban: Average: Shandong data is updated quarterly, averaging 5.700 % from Mar 2022 (Median) to Jun 2022, with 2 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 5.700 % in Jun 2022 and a record low of 5.700 % in Jun 2022. Surveyed Unemployment Rate: Urban: Average: Shandong 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.GB: Surveyed Unemployment.

In February 2025, the surveyed unemployment rate of people between 30 and 59 years of age in urban areas of China ranged at 4.3 percent. December 2023 unemployment figures were prepared by the National Bureau of Statistics of China using for the first time an adjusted methodology for calculating age specific unemployment rates. According to the new methodology, university students are not included in the figures any more. Furthermore, the age range for adult unemployment has been split up into two age groups from 25 to 29 and 30 to 59 years.Adult unemployment is commonly considerably lower than youth unemployment. Therefore, the total unemployment rate in urban areas of China is usually slightly higher than the adult unemployment rate of people aged 30 to 59.

Surveyed Unemployment Rate: Urban: Hebei data was reported at 5.800 % in Jun 2022. Surveyed Unemployment Rate: Urban: Hebei data is updated monthly, averaging 5.800 % from Jun 2022 (Median) to Jun 2022, with 1 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 5.800 % in Jun 2022 and a record low of 5.800 % in Jun 2022. Surveyed Unemployment Rate: Urban: Hebei 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.GB: Surveyed Unemployment.

In 2023, the surveyed unemployment rate in Beijing municipality in China ranged at 4.4 percent. Surveyed unemployment in China is normally higher than registered unemployment.

The methodology for collecting unemployment data and calculating the unemployment rate was changed in 2022, switching from registered to surveyed unemployment. While registered unemployment does only take into account those people who actively registered as unemployed, surveyed unemployment is based on representative employment surveys among the labor force and should provide a more accurate picture of actual unemployment.

Graph and download economic data for Infra-Annual Registered Unemployment and Job Vacancies: Total Economy: Registered Unemployment for China (LMUNRLTTCNA647N) from 1978 to 2010 about participation, China, and unemployment.

Registered Unemployment Rate: Urban: Zhejiang: Ningbo data was reported at 1.770 % in 2022. This records a decrease from the previous number of 2.310 % for 2021. Registered Unemployment Rate: Urban: Zhejiang: Ningbo data is updated yearly, averaging 3.030 % from Dec 2000 (Median) to 2022, with 23 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 4.000 % in 2003 and a record low of 1.610 % in 2019. Registered Unemployment Rate: Urban: Zhejiang: Ningbo data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Ningbo Municipal Bureau of Statistics. The data is categorized under China Premium Database’s Labour Market – Table CN.GF: Registered Unemployment Rate: Urban: Prefecture Level City.

Hong Kong Unemployment Rate: FR: Real Estate data was reported at 2.300 % in Sep 2018. This records an increase from the previous number of 2.000 % for Aug 2018. Hong Kong Unemployment Rate: FR: Real Estate data is updated monthly, averaging 2.500 % from Mar 2008 (Median) to Sep 2018, with 127 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 4.900 % in Jul 2009 and a record low of 1.700 % in Mar 2015. Hong Kong Unemployment Rate: FR: Real Estate data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Census and Statistics Department. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Hong Kong SAR – Table HK.G056: Unemployment Rate: GHS: RPA: by Industry: HSIC 2.0.

From the second quarter of 2017, Brazil was the country of those included in the chart with the highest unemployment rates. However, it has been decreasing constantly since the second quarter of 2021, reaching 6.4 percent in the third quarter of 2024. In the same quarter, Japan and Russia had the lowest unemployment rates of the countries included. China does not release quarterly unemployment rate statistics anymore. Monthly unemployment data can be found here.

This statistic shows the rate of registered unemployment in urban areas of China in 2022, by region. In 2022, the unemployment rate in urban areas of Heilongjiang province was around 3.2 percent.

Since 2022, the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security of China does not publish figures on registered unemployment any more and switched to a survey methodology to collect data on unemployment. However, current regional data for all provinces have not been consistently published yet.

Registered Unemployment Rate: Urban: Liaoning data was reported at 4.330 % in 2021. This records a decrease from the previous number of 4.610 % for 2020. Registered Unemployment Rate: Urban: Liaoning data is updated yearly, averaging 3.690 % from Dec 1980 (Median) to 2021, with 34 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 6.500 % in 2004 and a record low of 1.800 % in 1991. Registered Unemployment Rate: Urban: Liaoning 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: Registered Unemployment.

Andelen af ungdomsarbejdsløshed i Kina faldt til 15,70 procent i december fra 16,10 procent i november 2024. Aktuelle værdier, historiske data, prognoser, statistik, diagrammer og økonomisk kalender - Kina - Ungdomsarbejdsløshed.

Hong Kong Unemployment Rate: Female: Age Above 60 data was reported at 1.700 % in Sep 2018. This stayed constant from the previous number of 1.700 % for Aug 2018. Hong Kong Unemployment Rate: Female: Age Above 60 data is updated monthly, averaging 2.100 % from Mar 1983 (Median) to Sep 2018, with 167 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 5.700 % in Dec 2004 and a record low of 0.000 % in Jun 1994. Hong Kong Unemployment Rate: Female: Age Above 60 data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Census and Statistics Department. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Hong Kong – Table HK.G055: Unemployment Rate: GHS: RPA: by Age.