Unemployment rate in China: 4.6% in 2025, ranking 109th of 184 countries. In 2010 it was 4.5%.
Data last updated · Period: 2010–2025
Understanding the chart
The line chart above tracks unemployment rate in China for each year from 2010 to 2025, 16 data points in all. Each dot is one year; the first and last years and the highest point are labelled with their values, and the vertical scale is in % of labor force. All values in this period were above zero. The data table below the chart lists every value, and you can download the data, embed the chart or share it from the buttons above. The figures cover 2010–2025 and come from World Bank, World Development Indicators (CC BY 4.0).
Key insights
- Between 2010 and 2025, China's unemployment rose from 4.5% to 4.6%, a rise of 0.1 percentage points.
- The highest value in this period was 5.0% in 2020; the lowest was 4.3% in 2018.
- Recently, the figure has moved up and down over the last three years (2024: 4.6%; 2025: 4.6%).
- That is 0.2 percentage points below the world figure of 4.8%.
- China has the 109th-highest value of 184 countries with recent data.
- In Eastern Asia, China has the 2nd-highest value of 7 countries with recent data; the highest is Mongolia (5.2%), and the typical (median) value is 2.8%.
Analysis
Averaged over periods, the figure was 4.6% in 2010 to 2014, 4.5% in 2015 to 2019 and 4.7% in 2020 onwards. The value went up in 9 of the 15 year-to-year steps and down in 6. The biggest one-year rise came in 2020 (+0.4 percentage points). The biggest one-year fall came in 2021 (−0.5 percentage points). Year to year, the figure typically varied by about 0.2 percentage points around its average of 4.6%, a stable pattern.
What it means
Unemployment between 4 and 8% suggests a moderately balanced labour market in China: most roles can be filled, though skilled staff may still be in demand. Compared with its neighbours in Eastern Asia, where the typical value is 2.8%, China is 1.8 percentage points higher.
Related figures
- Unemployment (% of labor force) by country, 2025: 34.2% (highest: Eswatini). The share of people who are available for and looking for work but have none.
- Unemployment rate in Hong Kong SAR, China, 2010–2025: 2.8% (Unemployment, 2025 · 153rd of 184). Unemployment rate in Hong Kong SAR, China: 2.8% in 2025, ranking 153rd of 184 countries.
- Unemployment rate in Japan, 2010–2025: 2.5% (Unemployment, 2025 · 161st of 184). Unemployment rate in Japan: 2.5% in 2025, ranking 161st of 184 countries.
About this statistic
The share of people who are available for and looking for work but have none. Modeled estimates from the International Labour Organization. Affects how easy it is to hire and how much customers can spend. Many people in some countries work informally, which unemployment rates do not capture.
Employment and labour force figures show how many people earn an income and how tight the job market is, which shapes both consumer demand and hiring costs. The figures come from the World Bank's World Development Indicators, which compile official national statistics in a consistent form so countries can be compared.
Questions and answers
What is the unemployment rate in China?
4.6% (Unemployment, 2025 · 109th of 184). Unemployment rate in China: 4.6% in 2025, ranking 109th of 184 countries. In 2010 it was 4.5%.
How has unemployment in China changed since 2010?
Between 2010 and 2025, China's unemployment rose from 4.5% to 4.6%, a rise of 0.1 percentage points. The highest value in this period was 5.0% in 2020; the lowest was 4.3% in 2018.
Where does this data come from?
From World Bank, World Development Indicators (CC BY 4.0), covering 2010–2025. The share of people who are available for and looking for work but have none. Modeled estimates from the International Labour Organization. Affects how easy it is to hire and how much customers can spend. Many people in some countries work informally, which unemployment rates do not capture.
Data
| Year | Unemployment (% of labor force) |
|---|---|
| 2010 | 4.5% |
| 2011 | 4.6% |
| 2012 | 4.6% |
| 2013 | 4.6% |
| 2014 | 4.6% |
| 2015 | 4.7% |
| 2016 | 4.6% |
| 2017 | 4.5% |
| 2018 | 4.3% |
| 2019 | 4.6% |
| 2020 | 5.0% |
| 2021 | 4.6% |
| 2022 | 5.0% |
| 2023 | 4.7% |
| 2024 | 4.6% |
| 2025 | 4.6% |
Source and notes
Source: World Bank, World Development Indicators (CC BY 4.0). Period: 2010–2025. Coverage: China.
The share of people who are available for and looking for work but have none. Modeled estimates from the International Labour Organization. Affects how easy it is to hire and how much customers can spend. Many people in some countries work informally, which unemployment rates do not capture.
Cite this statistic
Please also credit the original source: World Bank, World Development Indicators (CC BY 4.0).Related statistics
- Unemployment (% of labor force) by country, 2025
- Unemployment rate in Hong Kong SAR, China, 2010–2025
- Unemployment rate in Japan, 2010–2025
- Unemployment rate in South Korea, 2010–2025
- Unemployment rate in Macao SAR, China, 2010–2025
- GDP of China, 2010–2025
- Economic growth (GDP growth) in China, 2010–2025
- GDP per person in China, 2010–2025
- GDP per person, adjusted for prices (PPP, international $) in China, 2010–2024
All China data: economy, people, jobs and digital in one place
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