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China · Employment & wages

Unemployment, participation, employment, youth, wages and hours.

19 indicators · 12 with data

Unemployment

Unemployment

% of labour force

79th of 185 · 21st in East Asia & Pacific
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UnemploymentChina's unemployment rose from 3.1 % in 1996 to 4.6 % in 2025.2000200520102015202020253%4%4%5%5%6%4.6 %

China's unemployment rose from 3.1 % in 1996 to 4.6 % in 2025.

Youth unemployment

% of labour force ages 15–24

115th of 183 · 27th in East Asia & Pacific
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Youth unemploymentChina's youth unemployment rose from 6.3 % in 1996 to 15.8 % in 2025.2000200520102015202020250%5%10%15%20%15.8 %

China's youth unemployment rose from 6.3 % in 1996 to 15.8 % in 2025.

Participation

Participation

% of population ages 15+

67th of 182 · 14th in East Asia & Pacific
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ParticipationChina's participation fell from 76.3 % in 1996 to 64.6 % in 2025.20002005201020152020202560%65%70%75%80%64.6 %

China's participation fell from 76.3 % in 1996 to 64.6 % in 2025.

Labour force participation rate, female (ages 15+)

% of female population ages 15+

53rd of 182 · 11th in East Asia & Pacific
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Labour force participation rate, female (ages 15+)China's labour force participation rate, female (ages 15+) fell from 70.0 % in 1996 to 59.1 % in 2025.20002005201020152020202560%65%70%59.1 %

China's labour force participation rate, female (ages 15+) fell from 70.0 % in 1996 to 59.1 % in 2025.

Employment

Employment to population ratio (ages 15+)

% of population ages 15+

60th of 182 · 16th in East Asia & Pacific
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Employment to population ratio (ages 15+)China's employment to population ratio (ages 15+) fell from 73.9 % in 1996 to 61.6 % in 2025.20002005201020152020202560%65%70%75%80%61.6 %

China's employment to population ratio (ages 15+) fell from 73.9 % in 1996 to 61.6 % in 2025.

Labour force, total

people

1st of 182 · 1st in East Asia & Pacific
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Labour force, totalChina's labour force, total rose from 678M in 1996 to 768M in 2025.200020052010201520202025700M750M800M768M

China's labour force, total rose from 678M in 1996 to 768M in 2025.

Self-employed (% of total employment)

% of employment

82nd of 182 · 15th in East Asia & Pacific
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Self-employed (% of total employment)China's self-employed (% of total employment) fell from 54.1 % in 1996 to 37.7 % in 2025.20002005201020152020202535%40%45%50%55%60%37.7 %

China's self-employed (% of total employment) fell from 54.1 % in 1996 to 37.7 % in 2025.

Vulnerable employment (% of total employment)

% of employment

103rd of 182 · 14th in East Asia & Pacific
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Vulnerable employment (% of total employment)China's vulnerable employment (% of total employment) fell from 50.5 % in 1996 to 33.4 % in 2025.20002005201020152020202530%35%40%45%50%55%33.4 %

China's vulnerable employment (% of total employment) fell from 50.5 % in 1996 to 33.4 % in 2025.

Structure

Employment in agriculture (% of total employment)

% of employment

79th of 182 · 16th in East Asia & Pacific
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Employment in agriculture (% of total employment)China's employment in agriculture (% of total employment) fell from 50.5 % in 1996 to 21.7 % in 2025.2000200520102015202020250%20%40%60%21.7 %

China's employment in agriculture (% of total employment) fell from 50.5 % in 1996 to 21.7 % in 2025.

Employment in industry (% of total employment)

% of employment

13th of 182 · 2nd in East Asia & Pacific
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Employment in industry (% of total employment)China's employment in industry (% of total employment) rose from 23.5 % in 1996 to 31.8 % in 2025.20002005201020152020202520%25%30%31.8 %

China's employment in industry (% of total employment) rose from 23.5 % in 1996 to 31.8 % in 2025.

Employment in services (% of total employment)

% of employment

139th of 182 · 23rd in East Asia & Pacific
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Employment in services (% of total employment)China's employment in services (% of total employment) rose from 26.0 % in 1996 to 46.5 % in 2025.20002005201020152020202520%30%40%50%46.5 %

China's employment in services (% of total employment) rose from 26.0 % in 1996 to 46.5 % in 2025.

Productivity

GDP per person employed (constant 2021 PPP $)

constant 2021 PPP $

81st of 168 · 10th in East Asia & Pacific
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GDP per person employed (constant 2021 PPP $)China's gdp per person employed (constant 2021 ppp $) rose from intl $5,661 in 1996 to intl $48.1k in 2025.200020052010201520202025intl $0intl $10kintl $20kintl $30kintl $40kintl $50kintl $48.1k

China's gdp per person employed (constant 2021 ppp $) rose from intl $5,661 in 1996 to intl $48.1k in 2025.

›No data available (7)

These indicators exist in the registry but no source reports a value for China.

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