Youth Unemployment Rate in China increased to 17.90 percent in July from 14.90 percent in June of 2026. Youth Unemployment Rate in China averaged 16.60 percent from 2021 until 2026, reaching an all time high of 21.30 percent in June of 2023 and a record low of 13.20 percent in June of 2024. source: National Bureau of Statistics of China

Youth Unemployment Rate in China is expected to be 16.50 percent by the end of this quarter, according to Trading Economics global macro models and analysts expectations. In the long-term, the China Youth Unemployment Rate is projected to trend around 16.50 percent in 2027 and 16.80 percent in 2028, according to our econometric models.



Related Last Previous Unit Reference
Average Weekly Hours 48.20 48.20 Hours Jul 2026
Employed Persons 72504.00 73439.00 Tens of Thousands Dec 2025
Labour Costs 70.40 63.60 points Jul 2026
Minimum Wages 2740.00 2740.00 CNY/Month Jan 2026
Population 1405.00 1408.00 Million Dec 2025
Retirement Age Men 60.50 60.33 Years Dec 2026
Retirement Age Women 50.50 50.33 Years Dec 2026
Unemployment Rate 5.20 5.00 percent Jul 2026
Wages 129441.00 124110.00 CNY/Year Dec 2025
Wages in Manufacturing 113594.00 107987.00 CNY/Year Dec 2025
Youth Unemployment Rate 17.90 14.90 percent Jul 2026


China Youth Unemployment Rate
Actual Previous Highest Lowest Dates Unit Frequency
17.90 14.90 21.30 13.20 2021 - 2026 percent Monthly
SA

News Stream
China Youth Unemployment Rate Lowest in a Year
China's urban youth unemployment rate for people aged 16–24, excluding students, fell for a third consecutive month to 14.9% in June 2026, the lowest level in a year, from 15.6% in May, according to the National Bureau of Statistics. The decline points to a continued improvement in youth employment amid government efforts to stabilize the labor market, support economic growth, and better align university programs with labor market needs. Even so, the rate remained above the 14.5% recorded in June 2025. Meanwhile, the unemployment rate for 25–29-year-olds, excluding students, edged down to 7.1% from 7.2%, while the jobless rate for the 30–59 age group eased to 4.0% from 4.1%. The overall surveyed urban unemployment rate also declined slightly, to 5.0% from 5.1%.
2026-07-20
China Youth Jobless Rate Falls to 11-Month Low
China’s urban youth unemployment rate for those aged 16–24, excluding students, dropped to 15.6% in May 2026, the lowest in eleven months, from 16.3% in April, according to the National Bureau of Statistics. The fall reflects a continued improvement in the country’s youth employment market amid efforts to stabilize jobs and support economic growth. Meanwhile, unemployment among 25–29-year-olds, also excluding students, fell to 7.2% from 7.4% in the previous month, though it remains above the long-term average, suggesting that early-career workers continue to face a competitive labor market and slower transitions into stable employment. For the 30–59 age group, the jobless rate ticked down to 4.1% from 4.2%. The broader jobless rate fell slightly to 5.1% from 5.2%.
2026-06-22
China’s Youth Unemployment Eases in April
China’s urban youth unemployment rate for those aged 16–24, excluding students, fell to 16.3% in April 2026 from a four-month high of 16.9% in March, according to the National Bureau of Statistics. This decline mirrored the broader jobless rate, which dropped to 5.2% from 5.4%. Meanwhile, unemployment among 25–29-year-olds, also excluding students, decreased to 7.4% from 7.7% in March, though it remains above the long-term average, indicating that early-career workers still face a competitive job market and slower integration into stable employment. The jobless rate for the 30–59 age group also edged down slightly, from 4.3% to 4.2%.
2026-05-20