China Industry Employment
Employment in industry SL.IND.EMPL.ZS
China's industry employment was 31.79% in 2025, ranked 169th globally. This represents a 0.5% increase from 2024. Data from World Bank, covering 1991–2025.
Overview
China's industry employment stood at 31.79% in 2025, a rise of +0.16% from 2024. Based on recent trends, this figure is projected to reach 31.83% by 2026. China ranked 169th globally.
China's industry employment as a share of total employment stood at 31.79 percent in 2025, ranking 169th globally, a figure that also marks its all-time peak since records began in 1991 at 21.43 percent. The sector reached its lowest point in 2002 with 21.40 percent, reflecting a prolonged shift during the early 2000s as economic reforms and rural-to-urban migration reshaped labor dynamics. Over the subsequent two decades, industrial employment gradually climbed, aligning with China's emergence as a global manufacturing hub and sustained infrastructure investments. By 2025, China's industrial employment level was closely mirrored by peer countries such as Slovenia at 31.97 percent and Nepal at 31.28 percent, suggesting a convergence with mid-tier industrialized economies. This upward trajectory contrasts with typical development patterns where industry employment declines after a certain income threshold, but in China’s case, advanced manufacturing and state-driven industrial policy have sustained demand for industrial labor. Absent structural shifts toward services or automation acceleration, this trend may persist in the near term.
Data & projection
| Year | Industry Employment | YoY change | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2028* trend | 32.07% | - | - |
| 2027* trend | 31.95% | - | - |
| 2026* trend | 31.83% | - | - |
| 2025 | 31.79% | +0.16% | #169 |
| 2024 | 31.63% | +0.21% | #169 |
| 2023 | 31.43% | +0.50% | #171 |
| 2022 | 30.93% | −0.60% | #174 |
| 2021 | 31.53% | +0.40% | #176 |
| 2020 | 31.13% | +0.37% | #173 |
| 2019 | 30.76% | +0.39% | #172 |
| 2018 | 30.36% | +0.39% | #171 |
| 2017 | 29.97% | +0.33% | #170 |
| 2016 | 29.64% | +0.34% | #168 |
| 2015 | 29.30% | −0.60% | #168 |
| 2014 | 29.90% | −0.20% | #169 |
| 2013 | 30.10% | −0.20% | #170 |
| 2012 | 30.30% | +0.80% | #171 |
| 2011 | 29.50% | +0.80% | #169 |
Detected Pattern
Analysis
China matched the Export Boom Cycle pattern in 2013. Historically, 71% of countries showing this pattern (546 out of 768) saw industry employment improve within 24 months. View full analysis →
Frequently Asked Questions
China's industry employment was 31.79% in 2025. Ranked 169th globally. This represents a 0.5% increase from the previous year.
China's industry employment peaked at 31.79% in 2025.
The lowest industry employment in China was 21.40% in 2002.
China ranks 169th globally in industry employment as of 2025.
The World Bank indicator code is SL.IND.EMPL.ZS. Data sourced from World Bank.
China's industry employment is projected to reach 31.83% by 2026 based on trend extrapolation.
The industry employment of China in 2025 was 31.79%. This ranks 169th in the world.
Cite this page
@misc{historysaid_china_industry-employment,
title = {China Industry Employment},
url = {https://historysaid.com/china/industry-employment/},
publisher = {HistorySaid},
year = {2026}
}