Youth Unemployment Rate in China increased to 18.90 percent in August from 17.80 percent in July of 2025. This dataset includes a chart with historical data for China Youth Unemployment Rate.

The youth unemployment rate in China was 15.23 percent in 2024. Between 1991 and 2024, the youth unemployment rate rose by 10.86 percentage points, though the increase followed an uneven trajectory rather than a consistent upward trend.

China resumed the release of youth unemployment data in January 2024 after publication had been suspended for six months, using a new statistical methodology. Youth unemployment hit a record high of 21.3 percent in June 2023 after having increased for several years in a row, when a spokesman of the National Bureau of Statistics of China announced that the statistical methodology for calculating age specific unemployment rates needed improvement and publication would be temporarily suspended. The new methodology does not include university students anymore, resulting in a youth unemployment rate of **** percent in August 2025. Youth jobless figures fluctuate over the year and normally peak in July in China, when the largest number of graduates enter the job market.

China: Youth unemployment, ages 15-24: The latest value from 2024 is 15.23 percent, a decline from 15.74 percent in 2023. In comparison, the world average is 15.70 percent, based on data from 176 countries. Historically, the average for China from 1991 to 2024 is 9.3 percent. The minimum value, 4.37 percent, was reached in 1991 while the maximum of 15.74 percent was recorded in 2023.

Historical dataset showing China youth unemployment rate by year from 1991 to 2024.

Unemployment, youth total (% of total labor force ages 15-24) (modeled ILO estimate) in China was reported at 15.23 % in 2024, according to the World Bank collection of development indicators, compiled from officially recognized sources. China - Unemployment, youth total (% of total labor force ages 15-24) - actual values, historical data, forecasts and projections were sourced from the World Bank on September of 2025.

Unemployment Rate in China increased to 5.30 percent in August from 5.20 percent in July of 2025. This dataset provides - China Unemployment Rate - actual values, historical data, forecast, chart, statistics, economic calendar and news.

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 August 2025, the surveyed unemployment rate in urban areas of China ranged at *** percent, remaining flat from the previous month. The annual unemployment rate in China was *** 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 25 to 59 data was reported at 4.100 % in Jun 2023. This stayed constant from the previous number of 4.100 % for May 2023. China Unemployment Rate: Age 25 to 59 data is updated monthly, averaging 4.600 % from Nov 2017 (Median) to Jun 2023, with 67 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 5.600 % in Feb 2020 and a record low of 4.100 % in Jun 2023. China Unemployment Rate: Age 25 to 59 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.

Graph and download economic data for Youth Unemployment Rate for Hong Kong SAR, China (SLUEM1524ZSHKG) from 1991 to 2024 about Hong Kong, 15 to 24 years, unemployment, and rate.

In August 2025, the surveyed unemployment rate of people between 30 and 59 years of age in urban areas of China ranged at *** 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.

Graph and download economic data for Youth Unemployment Rate for China (SLUEM1524ZSCHN) from 1991 to 2024 about 15 to 24 years, China, unemployment, and rate.

china - Youth Unemployment Rate for China was 15.23% in January of 2024, according to the United States Federal Reserve. Historically, china - Youth Unemployment Rate for China reached a record high of 15.75 in January of 2023 and a record low of 12.42 in January of 2021. Trading Economics provides the current actual value, an historical data chart and related indicators for china - Youth Unemployment Rate for China - last updated from the United States Federal Reserve on September of 2025.

Hong Kong HK: Unemployment: National Estimate: Youth Male: % of Male Labour Force Aged 15-24 data was reported at 9.251 % in 2017. This records a decrease from the previous number of 10.980 % for 2016. Hong Kong HK: Unemployment: National Estimate: Youth Male: % of Male Labour Force Aged 15-24 data is updated yearly, averaging 7.690 % from Dec 1979 (Median) to 2017, with 18 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 15.150 % in 2009 and a record low of 3.130 % in 1989. Hong Kong HK: Unemployment: National Estimate: Youth Male: % of Male Labour Force Aged 15-24 data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by World Bank. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Hong Kong SAR – Table HK.World Bank.WDI: Employment and Unemployment. Youth unemployment refers to the share of the labor force ages 15-24 without work but available for and seeking employment. Definitions of labor force and unemployment differ by country.; ; International Labour Organization, ILOSTAT database. Data retrieved in September 2018.; Weighted average; The series for ILO estimates is also available in the WDI database. Caution should be used when comparing ILO estimates with national estimates.

hong kong - Youth Unemployment Rate for Hong Kong SAR, China was 8.38% in January of 2024, according to the United States Federal Reserve. Historically, hong kong - Youth Unemployment Rate for Hong Kong SAR, China reached a record high of 12.79 in January of 2021 and a record low of 8.38 in January of 2024. Trading Economics provides the current actual value, an historical data chart and related indicators for hong kong - Youth Unemployment Rate for Hong Kong SAR, China - last updated from the United States Federal Reserve on September of 2025.

Unemployment, youth female (% of female labor force ages 15-24) (modeled ILO estimate) in China was reported at 13.55 % in 2024, according to the World Bank collection of development indicators, compiled from officially recognized sources. China - Unemployment, youth female (% of female labor force ages 15-24) - actual values, historical data, forecasts and projections were sourced from the World Bank on September of 2025.

Panel unit root tests for Chinese OFDI and youth unemployment in SSA.

Macau MO: Unemployment: National Estimate: Youth Male: % of Male Labour Force Aged 15-24 data was reported at 6.490 % in 2016. This records an increase from the previous number of 5.700 % for 2015. Macau MO: Unemployment: National Estimate: Youth Male: % of Male Labour Force Aged 15-24 data is updated yearly, averaging 9.800 % from Dec 1997 (Median) to 2016, with 19 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 18.270 % in 2003 and a record low of 5.490 % in 2013. Macau MO: Unemployment: National Estimate: Youth Male: % of Male Labour Force Aged 15-24 data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by World Bank. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Macau – Table MO.World Bank: Employment and Unemployment. Youth unemployment refers to the share of the labor force ages 15-24 without work but available for and seeking employment. Definitions of labor force and unemployment differ by country.; ; International Labour Organization, ILOSTAT database. Data retrieved in November 2017.; Weighted Average; The series for ILO estimates is also available in the WDI database. Caution should be used when comparing ILO estimates with national estimates.

In 2024, the surveyed unemployment rate in the Shanghai municipality ranged at *** percent. The Shanghai Statistics Bureau changed the methodology for collecting and calculating the unemployment rate in 2023, switching from registered unemployment to surveyed unemployment. While registered unemployment did only take into account those people who actively registered as unemployed, surveyed unemployment is based on representative surveys among the labor force and should provide a more accurate picture of actual unemployment.