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 mirrored the broader jobless rate, which edged lower to 5.1% from 5.2%. 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%.

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%.

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.