China's surveyed urban unemployment rate edged lower to 5.1% in May 2026, compared with both market expectations and the previous month's 5.2%. It marked the lowest reading since December 2025. Among the locally registered labor force, the unemployment rate edged down to 5.2% from 5.3% in April, while the rate for the migrant labor force slipped to 4.9% from 5%. Within the migrant workforce, those holding agricultural household registration recorded an unemployment rate that edged lower to 4.9% from 5%. Across 31 major cities, the surveyed urban unemployment rate also eased to 5.1% in May 2026 from 5.2% in the previous month. Meanwhile, enterprise employees nationwide worked an average of 48.2 hours per week. For the January–May period, the average surveyed urban unemployment rate stood at 5.2%. source: National Bureau of Statistics of China

Unemployment Rate in China decreased to 5.10 percent in May from 5.20 percent in April of 2026. Unemployment Rate in China averaged 4.81 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 June of 2026.

Unemployment Rate in China decreased to 5.10 percent in May from 5.20 percent in April 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 5.20 percent in 2027 and 5.10 percent in 2028, according to our econometric models.



Calendar GMT Reference Actual Previous Consensus TEForecast
2026-05-18 02:00 AM
Unemployment Rate
April 5.2% 5.4% 5.3% 5.5%
2026-06-16 02:00 AM
Unemployment Rate
May 5.1% 5.2% 5.2% 5.2%
2026-07-15 02:00 AM
Unemployment Rate
Jun 5.1% 5.10%



Components Last Previous Unit Reference
Youth Unemployment Rate 16.30 16.90 percent Apr 2026

Related Last Previous Unit Reference
Average Weekly Hours 48.20 48.00 Hours May 2026
Population 1405.00 1408.00 Million Dec 2025
Unemployment Rate 5.10 5.20 percent May 2026
Wages 129441.00 124110.00 CNY/Year Dec 2025
Wages in Manufacturing 113594.00 107987.00 CNY/Year Dec 2025


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
5.10 5.20 6.20 3.90 2002 - 2026 percent Monthly

News Stream
China Jobless Rate Hits 5-Month Low
China's surveyed urban unemployment rate edged lower to 5.1% in May 2026, compared with both market expectations and the previous month's 5.2%. It marked the lowest reading since December 2025. Among the locally registered labor force, the unemployment rate edged down to 5.2% from 5.3% in April, while the rate for the migrant labor force slipped to 4.9% from 5%. Within the migrant workforce, those holding agricultural household registration recorded an unemployment rate that edged lower to 4.9% from 5%. Across 31 major cities, the surveyed urban unemployment rate also eased to 5.1% in May 2026 from 5.2% in the previous month. Meanwhile, enterprise employees nationwide worked an average of 48.2 hours per week. For the January–May period, the average surveyed urban unemployment rate stood at 5.2%.
2026-06-16
China Jobless Rate Eases to 3-Month Low
China’s surveyed urban unemployment rate edged down to 5.2% in April 2026 from a more than one-year high of 5.4% in the previous month, coming in below market expectations of 5.3% and marking its lowest level since January 2026. Among the locally registered labor force, the unemployment rate ticked lower to 5.3% from 5.4% in March, while the rate for the migrant labor force fell to 5.0% from 5.3%. Within the migrant workforce, those holding agricultural household registration recorded an unemployment rate of 5.0% in April, down from 5.7% in the previous month. Across 31 major cities, the surveyed urban unemployment rate also eased slightly to 5.2% from 5.3%. Meanwhile, enterprise employees nationwide worked an average of 48 hours per week. For the January to April period, the average surveyed urban unemployment rate was 5.3%.
2026-05-18
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