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%. source: National Bureau of Statistics of China

Youth Unemployment Rate in China decreased to 15.60 percent in May from 16.30 percent in April of 2026. Youth Unemployment Rate in China averaged 16.61 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. This page includes a chart with historical data for China Youth Unemployment Rate. China Youth Unemployment Rate - values, historical data and charts - was last updated on June of 2026.

Youth Unemployment Rate in China decreased to 15.60 percent in May from 16.30 percent in April of 2026. Youth Unemployment Rate in China is expected to be 16.20 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 48.00 Hours May 2026
Employed Persons 72504.00 73439.00 Tens of Thousands Dec 2025
Labour Costs 71.10 64.70 points May 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 5.10 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
Youth Unemployment Rate 15.60 16.30 percent May 2026


China Youth Unemployment Rate
Actual Previous Highest Lowest Dates Unit Frequency
15.60 16.30 21.30 13.20 2021 - 2026 percent Monthly
SA

News Stream
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
China Youth Jobless Rate Rises to 4-Month High
China’s urban youth unemployment rate for those aged 16–24, excluding students, rose to 16.9% in March 2026 from 16.1% in the previous month, according to the National Bureau of Statistics. The increase marked the highest level since November 2025, reversing a downward trend seen since September, as a fresh wave of graduates and subdued hiring demand put pressure on entry-level job opportunities. Meanwhile, unemployment among those aged 25–29, also excluding students, climbed to 7.7% from 7.2% in February, suggesting that early-career workers continue to face a competitive job market and slower absorption into stable roles. The jobless rate for the 30–59 age group edged up to 4.3% from 4.2%, pointing to softer labor demand more broadly. Earlier data also showed China’s surveyed unemployment rate rose to a 13-month high of 5.4% in March, highlighting persistent strains in the labor market despite ongoing policy support.
2026-04-21