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%. source: National Bureau of Statistics of China

Unemployment Rate in China remained unchanged at 5.10 percent in December. Unemployment Rate in China averaged 4.79 percent from 2002 until 2025, reaching an all time high of 6.20 percent in February of 2020 and a record low of 3.90 percent in September of 2002. This page provides - China Unemployment Rate - actual values, historical data, forecast, chart, statistics, economic calendar and news. China Unemployment Rate - data, historical chart, forecasts and calendar of releases - was last updated on February of 2026.

Unemployment Rate in China remained unchanged at 5.10 percent in December. Unemployment Rate in China is expected to be 5.20 percent by the end of this quarter, according to Trading Economics global macro models and analysts expectations. In the long-term, the China Unemployment Rate is projected to trend around 5.00 percent in 2027, according to our econometric models.



Calendar GMT Reference Actual Previous Consensus TEForecast
2025-12-15 02:00 AM
Unemployment Rate
Nov 5.1% 5.1% 5.1% 5.2%
2026-01-19 02:00 AM
Unemployment Rate
Dec 5.1% 5.1% 5.2% 5.1%
2026-03-16 02:00 AM
Unemployment Rate
Feb 5.1%

Components Last Previous Unit Reference
Youth Unemployment Rate 16.50 16.90 percent Dec 2025

Related Last Previous Unit Reference
Average Weekly Hours 48.60 48.60 Hours Dec 2025
Population 1405.00 1408.00 Million Dec 2025
Unemployment Rate 5.10 5.10 percent Dec 2025
Wages 124110.00 120698.00 CNY/Year Dec 2024
Wages in Manufacturing 107987.00 103932.00 CNY/Year Dec 2024


China Unemployment Rate
In China, Urban Surveyed Unemployment Rate is calculated by a sample survey, which refers to the ratio of urban unemployed population to the sum of the employed population and the unemployed population.
Actual Previous Highest Lowest Dates Unit Frequency
5.10 5.10 6.20 3.90 2002 - 2025 percent Monthly

News Stream
China Jobless Rate Unchanged at 5.1%
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%.
2026-01-19
China Jobless Rate Steady in November
China’s surveyed urban unemployment rate stood at 5.1% in November 2025, unchanged from the previous month and in line with market expectations. The latest figure remained at its lowest level since June. 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%. 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 first eleven months of the year, the national surveyed urban unemployment rate averaged 5.2%.
2025-12-15
China Jobless Rate Lowest in Four Months
China’s surveyed urban unemployment rate fell to 5.1% in October 2025, missing market expectations that it would hold steady at September’s 5.2%. This marks the lowest reading in four months. Among locally registered labor forces, the jobless rate stood at 5.3%, while for the migrant labor force it was lower at 4.7%. Within the migrant workforce, those holding agricultural household registration recorded an unemployment rate of 4.5%. Across 31 major cities, the urban surveyed unemployment rate was 5.1%, 0.1 percentage point lower than the previous month. Meanwhile, enterprise employees nationwide worked an average of 48.4 hours per week. Looking at the first ten months of the year, the national urban surveyed unemployment rate averaged 5.2%.
2025-11-14