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China Youth Unemployment Hits 12-Month Low
20 Jul
Summary
- Youth unemployment in China dropped to 14.9% in June, a 12-month low.
- Hiring conditions improved at the end of the second quarter for young workers.
- China's economic growth slowed to 4.3% in the second quarter of 2026.
Data released on Monday revealed a significant improvement in China's job market, with the surveyed unemployment rate for individuals aged 16 to 24, excluding students, decreasing to 14.9% in June from 15.6% in May. This figure represents the lowest point recorded in the past twelve months.
Simultaneously, other age demographics experienced modest employment gains. The unemployment rate for those aged 25 to 29 fell to 7.1%, and for workers aged 30 to 59, it eased to 4.0%. These trends indicate that hiring conditions strengthened towards the end of the second quarter.
This employment data emerges shortly after figures showed China's economic growth decelerated to 4.3% in the second quarter of 2026, a slowdown from previous periods. Economists anticipate continued policy support for employment and consumption to stabilize growth in the latter half of the year.
An important revision to how youth unemployment is calculated was made in 2024, by excluding students from the survey. This change aims to provide a more accurate reflection of the job market for young people actively seeking employment.
