ECONOMY

China’s Youth Unemployment Rises After Six-Month Decline

Published: Apr. 21, 2026 3:35 p.m. GMT+8

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China’s youth unemployment climbed in March, reversing a six-month decline and underscoring the continued fragility of the job market for young workers.

The jobless rate for 16- to 24-year-olds, excluding students, rose to 16.9% in March from 16.1% in February, according to survey data released Monday by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS). That was also higher than the level recorded a year earlier.

China’s Youth Jobless Rate Rises

The increase left youth unemployment far above China’s headline urban surveyed unemployment rate of 5.4% for March, which has now edged up for three straight months.

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China's youth (16-24, excl. students) unemployment rose to 16.9% in March from 16.1% in Feb, above last year.
Rates for 25-29 hit 7.7% (+0.5 pp), 30-59 at 4.3% (+0.1 pp); urban rate 5.4%, up 3 months.
Broke post-Lunar New Year decline trend due to later holiday; NBS deems normal fluctuation.

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