Editorial: Fixing China’s Jobless Youth Problem Hinges on Restoring the Economy’s Vitality

Youth unemployment has once again become a national concern. Data from China’s National Bureau of Statistics recently showed the nationwide surveyed urban unemployment rate dipped to 5.2% in April. However, among the population aged 16 to 24, the rate hit a record 20.4%. Since statistical tracking began in 2018, this is the first time the youth unemployment rate has exceeded 20%, underscoring the severity of the situation. The causes are multifaceted, yet the root issue lies in a deficiency in the economy’s intrinsic dynamism. To address this issue, market reforms must be initiated to reinvigorate the economy, and the rule of law should be applied to improve national governance.