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%.

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%.

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.