China’s Rural Migrant Workers Age as Shift to Services Weighs on Pay
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China’s migrant workforce is aging as more workers move into lower-paying service jobs, putting pressure on income growth amid a shifting economic landscape.
The number of migrant workers topped 301 million in 2025, up 1.42 million from the previous year, though growth slowed to 0.5%, according to the National Bureau of Statistics.
The average age rose slightly to 43.3, the highest since records began in 2008, with those over 50 accounting for a record 32%.
The shift comes as weaker demand in traditional job engines such as construction persists, with property and infrastructure investment subdued. The share of migrant workers in construction fell to 13.8%, matching a record low and down 5.2 percentage points from 2021.
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- China's migrant workers hit 301 million in 2025, up 1.42 million (0.5%); average age 43.3, 32% over 50.
- Construction share fell to 13.8%; services rose to 54.7%, manufacturing to 28.2%.
- Monthly income up 2.3% to 5,075 yuan ($710), slowed by shift to lower-paying jobs.
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