China Unemployment Rate
Unemployment as % of total labor force SL.UEM.TOTL.ZS
China's unemployment rate was 4.62% in 2025, ranked 75th globally. This represents a 9.8% decrease from 2024. Data from World Bank, covering 1991–2025.
Overview
China's unemployment rate stood at 4.62% in 2025, a decline of +0.50pp from 2024. The IMF projects 5.10% by 2025. China ranked 75th globally.
China's unemployment rate has experienced fluctuations over the past 35 years, with a marked increase during the COVID-19 pandemic. The rate peaked at 5.00% in 2020, a level not seen since the 1990s, when China's economy was undergoing significant structural changes. In contrast, the all-time low of 2.37% was recorded in 1992, a period of high economic growth driven by export-oriented manufacturing. Currently, China's unemployment rate stands at 4.62%, ranking 75th globally. For context, Hungary, a peer country, has a comparable unemployment rate of 4.52%. The recent trend suggests that China's unemployment rate has stabilized, but a significant shift in the labor market dynamics could alter this trajectory, such as a major technological disruption or a significant change in the country's demographic structure. A sustained decline in the unemployment rate would likely require continued economic growth and improvements in labor market flexibility.
Data & projection
| Year | Unemployment Rate | YoY change | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2030* IMF | 5.10% | - | - |
| 2029* IMF | 5.10% | - | - |
| 2028* IMF | 5.10% | - | - |
| 2027* IMF | 5.10% | - | - |
| 2026* IMF | 5.10% | - | - |
| 2025* IMF | 5.10% | - | - |
| 2025 | 4.62% | −0.50pp | #75 |
| 2024 | 4.59% | −0.63pp | #85 |
| 2023 | 4.67% | −0.91pp | #86 |
| 2022 | 4.98% | −0.14pp | #88 |
| 2021 | 4.55% | −1.07pp | #59 |
| 2020 | 5.00% | −0.15pp | #65 |
| 2019 | 4.56% | −0.37pp | #79 |
| 2018 | 4.31% | −0.69pp | #70 |
| 2017 | 4.47% | −0.09pp | #71 |
| 2016 | 4.56% | −0.09pp | #65 |
| 2015 | 4.65% | +0.02pp | #68 |
| 2014 | 4.63% | +0.03pp | #64 |
| 2013 | 4.60% | +0.02pp | #66 |
| 2012 | 4.58% | +0.03pp | #68 |
| 2011 | 4.55% | +0.02pp | #65 |
Detected Pattern
Analysis
China matched the Export Boom Cycle pattern in 2013. Historically, 71% of countries showing this pattern (546 out of 768) saw unemployment rate improve within 24 months. View full analysis →
The provided news headlines do not offer specific information or developments directly related to China's unemployment rate, which currently stands at 4.62%. The headlines discuss general Asian trading sentiment, Nepal's economy, the US economy, and US H-1B visa policies, none of which directly impact or provide context for China's latest unemployment figures. Therefore, no analysis connecting these headlines to China's unemployment rate can be made.
Frequently Asked Questions
China's unemployment rate was 4.62% in 2025. Ranked 75th globally. This represents a 9.8% decrease from the previous year.
China's unemployment rate peaked at 5.00% in 2020.
The lowest unemployment rate in China was 2.37% in 1991.
China ranks 75th globally in unemployment rate as of 2025.
The World Bank indicator code is SL.UEM.TOTL.ZS. Data sourced from World Bank.
China's unemployment rate is projected to reach 5.10% by 2025 based on IMF projection.
The unemployment rate of China in 2025 was 4.62%. This ranks 75th in the world.
Cite this page
@misc{historysaid_china_unemployment-rate,
title = {China Unemployment Rate},
url = {https://historysaid.com/china/unemployment-rate/},
publisher = {HistorySaid},
year = {2026}
}