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.

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.

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%.