China Services Employment
Employment in services SL.SRV.EMPL.ZS
China's services employment was 46.53% in 2025, ranked 43rd globally. This represents a 0.8% increase from 2024. Data from World Bank, covering 1991–2025.
Overview
China's services employment stood at 46.53% in 2025, a rise of +0.38% from 2024. Based on recent trends, this figure is projected to reach 46.72% by 2026. China ranked 43rd globally.
China’s share of employment in services rose from 18.93 percent in 1991 to 46.53 percent in 2025, marking the highest level recorded over the 35‑year series and placing the country 43rd globally. The increase reflects the structural shift from agriculture and manufacturing toward a more diversified economy, a pattern also observed in peer economies such as Rwanda, where services employment reached 46.54 percent, and Nepal, at 45.81 percent. The steep ascent began in the early 2000s as urbanisation accelerated and the government promoted service‑oriented reforms, lifting the services share above the 30 percent threshold by 2010 and sustaining double‑digit annual gains thereafter. Despite the rapid rise, China’s services employment share remains modest relative to the 47.17 percent recorded in Ghana, suggesting room for further expansion as the nation pursues higher‑value, knowledge‑intensive activities. Continued investment in digital infrastructure and vocational training is likely to keep the upward trajectory, potentially pushing the services employment share beyond the current peak in the coming decade.
Data & projection
| Year | Services Employment | YoY change | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2028* trend | 47.32% | - | - |
| 2027* trend | 47.02% | - | - |
| 2026* trend | 46.72% | - | - |
| 2025 | 46.53% | +0.38% | #43 |
| 2024 | 46.15% | +0.38% | #44 |
| 2023 | 45.77% | +0.78% | #45 |
| 2022 | 44.99% | −0.61% | #45 |
| 2021 | 45.60% | +0.33% | #46 |
| 2020 | 45.27% | +0.75% | #47 |
| 2019 | 44.52% | +0.63% | #45 |
| 2018 | 43.88% | +0.54% | #46 |
| 2017 | 43.35% | +0.41% | #46 |
| 2016 | 42.93% | +0.53% | #47 |
| 2015 | 42.40% | +1.80% | #47 |
| 2014 | 40.60% | +2.10% | #42 |
| 2013 | 38.50% | +2.40% | #39 |
| 2012 | 36.10% | +0.40% | #37 |
| 2011 | 35.70% | +1.10% | #37 |
Detected Pattern
Analysis
China matched the Export Boom Cycle pattern in 2013. Historically, 71% of countries showing this pattern (546 out of 768) saw services employment improve within 24 months. View full analysis →
Frequently Asked Questions
China's services employment was 46.53% in 2025. Ranked 43rd globally. This represents a 0.8% increase from the previous year.
China's services employment peaked at 46.53% in 2025.
The lowest services employment in China was 18.93% in 1991.
China ranks 43rd globally in services employment as of 2025.
The World Bank indicator code is SL.SRV.EMPL.ZS. Data sourced from World Bank.
China's services employment is projected to reach 46.72% by 2026 based on trend extrapolation.
The services employment of China in 2025 was 46.53%. This ranks 43rd in the world.
Cite this page
@misc{historysaid_china_services-employment,
title = {China Services Employment},
url = {https://historysaid.com/china/services-employment/},
publisher = {HistorySaid},
year = {2026}
}