China Youth Unemployment
Youth unemployment (ages 15-24) SL.UEM.1524.ZS
China's youth unemployment was 15.80% in 2025, ranked 112th globally. This represents a 5.0% increase from 2024. Data from World Bank, covering 1991–2025.
Overview
China's youth unemployment stood at 15.80% in 2025, a rise of +0.75pp from 2024. Based on recent trends, this figure is projected to reach 16.84% by 2026. China ranked 112th globally.
China's youth unemployment rate has experienced a significant increase over the past three and a half decades, with the latest figure standing at 15.79% in 2025, ranking 112 globally. In contrast to the 1991 trough of 4.37%, the country has witnessed a substantial rise in youth joblessness, mirroring the peak year of 2025. This trend is also observed in neighboring countries such as India, which saw a higher youth unemployment rate of 16.02% in 2025. The substantial gap between the 1991 and 2025 youth unemployment rates suggests a marked shift in China's labor market dynamics. As the country continues to transition towards a service-oriented economy, the rising youth unemployment rate is likely to persist unless the government implements targeted policies to address the issue. A significant increase in vocational training programs or investments in emerging industries could potentially alter the trajectory of China's youth unemployment trend.
Data & projection
| Year | Youth Unemployment | YoY change | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2028* trend | 18.27% | - | - |
| 2027* trend | 17.56% | - | - |
| 2026* trend | 16.84% | - | - |
| 2025 | 15.80% | +0.75pp | #112 |
| 2024 | 15.04% | −0.52pp | #105 |
| 2023 | 15.56% | +0.89pp | #111 |
| 2022 | 14.67% | +2.27pp | #105 |
| 2021 | 12.40% | −0.25pp | #77 |
| 2020 | 12.65% | +1.97pp | #73 |
| 2019 | 10.68% | +1.01pp | #77 |
| 2018 | 9.67% | −0.76pp | #69 |
| 2017 | 10.43% | −0.14pp | #73 |
| 2016 | 10.57% | −0.11pp | #67 |
| 2015 | 10.68% | +0.17pp | #67 |
| 2014 | 10.51% | +0.19pp | #70 |
| 2013 | 10.32% | +0.16pp | #72 |
| 2012 | 10.15% | +0.18pp | #74 |
| 2011 | 9.98% | +0.15pp | #68 |
Detected Pattern
Analysis
China matched the Export Boom Cycle pattern in 2013. Historically, 71% of countries showing this pattern (546 out of 768) saw youth unemployment improve within 24 months. View full analysis →
Frequently Asked Questions
China's youth unemployment was 15.80% in 2025. Ranked 112th globally. This represents a 5.0% increase from the previous year.
China's youth unemployment peaked at 15.80% in 2025.
The lowest youth unemployment in China was 4.37% in 1991.
China ranks 112th globally in youth unemployment as of 2025.
The World Bank indicator code is SL.UEM.1524.ZS. Data sourced from World Bank.
China's youth unemployment is projected to reach 16.84% by 2026 based on trend extrapolation.
The youth unemployment of China in 2025 was 15.80%. This ranks 112th in the world.
Cite this page
@misc{historysaid_china_youth-unemployment,
title = {China Youth Unemployment},
url = {https://historysaid.com/china/youth-unemployment/},
publisher = {HistorySaid},
year = {2026}
}