China’s surveyed urban unemployment rate rose to 5.4% in March 2026 from 5.3% in the previous month and above market expectations of 5.2%. This marked the highest reading in thirteen months. Among the locally registered labor force, the unemployment rate stood at 5.4%, unchanged from February, while the rate for the migrant labor force grew to 5.3% from 5%. Within the migrant workforce, those holding agricultural household registration recorded an unemployment rate of 5.7%. Across 31 major cities, the surveyed urban unemployment rate increased to 5.3%, up from 5.1% in the previous two months. Meanwhile, enterprise employees nationwide worked an average of 48.1 hours per week. source: National Bureau of Statistics of China

Unemployment Rate in China increased to 5.40 percent in March from 5.30 percent in February of 2026. Unemployment Rate in China averaged 4.80 percent from 2002 until 2026, reaching an all time high of 6.20 percent in February of 2020 and a record low of 3.90 percent in September of 2002. This page provides - China Unemployment Rate - actual values, historical data, forecast, chart, statistics, economic calendar and news. China Unemployment Rate - data, historical chart, forecasts and calendar of releases - was last updated on April of 2026.

Unemployment Rate in China increased to 5.40 percent in March from 5.30 percent in February of 2026. Unemployment Rate in China is expected to be 5.10 percent by the end of this quarter, according to Trading Economics global macro models and analysts expectations. In the long-term, the China Unemployment Rate is projected to trend around 5.00 percent in 2027, according to our econometric models.



Calendar GMT Reference Actual Previous Consensus TEForecast
2026-03-16 02:00 AM
Unemployment Rate
Feb 5.3% 5.1% 5.1% 5.1%
2026-04-16 02:00 AM
Unemployment Rate
March 5.4% 5.3% 5.2% 5.20%
2026-05-18 02:00 AM
Unemployment Rate
April 5.4%

Components Last Previous Unit Reference
Youth Unemployment Rate 16.10 16.30 percent Feb 2026

Related Last Previous Unit Reference
Average Weekly Hours 48.10 48.10 Hours Mar 2026
Population 1405.00 1408.00 Million Dec 2025
Unemployment Rate 5.40 5.30 percent Mar 2026
Wages 124110.00 120698.00 CNY/Year Dec 2024
Wages in Manufacturing 107987.00 103932.00 CNY/Year Dec 2024


China Unemployment Rate
In China, Urban Surveyed Unemployment Rate is calculated by a sample survey, which refers to the ratio of urban unemployed population to the sum of the employed population and the unemployed population.
Actual Previous Highest Lowest Dates Unit Frequency
5.40 5.30 6.20 3.90 2002 - 2026 percent Monthly

News Stream
China Jobless Rate at 13-Month High
China’s surveyed urban unemployment rate rose to 5.4% in March 2026 from 5.3% in the previous month and above market expectations of 5.2%. This marked the highest reading in thirteen months. Among the locally registered labor force, the unemployment rate stood at 5.4%, unchanged from February, while the rate for the migrant labor force grew to 5.3% from 5%. Within the migrant workforce, those holding agricultural household registration recorded an unemployment rate of 5.7%. Across 31 major cities, the surveyed urban unemployment rate increased to 5.3%, up from 5.1% in the previous two months. Meanwhile, enterprise employees nationwide worked an average of 48.1 hours per week.
2026-04-16
China Jobless Rate at 6-Month High
China’s surveyed urban unemployment rate rose to 5.3% in February 2026 from 5.2% in the previous month and above market expectations of 5.1%. Among the locally registered labor force, the unemployment rate edged higher to 5.4% from 5.3% in the previous five months, while the rate for the migrant labor force grew 5% from 4.8% in January. Within the migrant workforce, those holding agricultural household registration recorded an unemployment rate of 5.2%. Across 31 major cities, the surveyed urban unemployment rate held steady at 5.1%. Meanwhile, enterprise employees nationwide worked an average of 48.1 hours per week.
2026-03-16
China Jobless Rate Unchanged at 5.1%
China’s surveyed urban unemployment rate stood at 5.1% in December 2025, unchanged from the previous two months and slightly below market expectations of 5.2%. Among the locally registered labor force, the unemployment rate was unchanged at 5.3%, while the rate for the migrant labor force also remained steady at 4.7% since October. Within the migrant workforce, those holding agricultural household registration recorded an unemployment rate of 4.4%. Across 31 major cities, the surveyed urban unemployment rate likewise held steady at 5.1%. Meanwhile, enterprise employees nationwide worked an average of 48.6 hours per week. Over the whole year, the national surveyed urban unemployment rate averaged 5.2%.
2026-01-19