China Jobless Rate Lowest in Four Months

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%.

China’s surveyed urban unemployment rate stood at 5.1% in November 2025, unchanged from the previous month and in line with market expectations. The latest figure remained at its lowest level since June. 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%. 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 first eleven months of the year, the national surveyed urban unemployment rate averaged 5.2%.

China’s surveyed urban unemployment rate fell to 5.1% in October 2025, missing market expectations that it would hold steady at September’s 5.2%. This marks the lowest reading in four months. Among locally registered labor forces, the jobless rate stood at 5.3%, while for the migrant labor force it was lower at 4.7%. Within the migrant workforce, those holding agricultural household registration recorded an unemployment rate of 4.5%. Across 31 major cities, the urban surveyed unemployment rate was 5.1%, 0.1 percentage point lower than the previous month. Meanwhile, enterprise employees nationwide worked an average of 48.4 hours per week. Looking at the first ten months of the year, the national urban surveyed unemployment rate averaged 5.2%.