Unemployment Rate: China
Current Value (2024)
4.6%
All-Time Peak (2020)
5.0%
All-Time Low (1991)
2.4%
Unemployment Rate — China
Analysis# China's Unemployment Rate Analysis (1991–2024)
China's unemployment rate has remained relatively stable in recent years, with the current 4.59% (2024) sitting comfortably below its pandemic peak of 5% (2020), indicating labor market recovery post-COVID. The rate's dramatic rise from a historical low of 2.37% in 1991 to current levels reflects the structural economic shifts accompanying China's transition from a planned economy to a market-oriented system, including massive SOE (state-owned enterprise) restructuring in the 1990s-2000s and accelerating automation. The narrow band between current and peak unemployment—despite three decades of urbanization and workforce
Historical Data
| Year | Value | Change % |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 4.6% | -1.71% |
| 2023 | 4.7% | -6.22% |
| 2022 | 5.0% | +9.45% |
| 2021 | 4.5% | -9.00% |
| 2020 | 5.0% | +9.65% |
| 2019 | 4.6% | +5.80% |
| 2018 | 4.3% | -3.58% |
| 2017 | 4.5% | -1.97% |
| 2016 | 4.6% | -1.94% |
| 2015 | 4.7% | +0.43% |
| 2014 | 4.6% | +0.65% |
| 2013 | 4.6% | +0.44% |
| 2012 | 4.6% | +0.66% |
| 2011 | 4.5% | +0.44% |
| 2010 | 4.5% | -4.03% |
| 2009 | 4.7% | +2.83% |
| 2008 | 4.6% | +5.52% |
| 2007 | 4.3% | -1.81% |
| 2006 | 4.4% | -1.99% |
| 2005 | 4.5% | +0.67% |
Show all 34 rows
| Year | Value | Change % |
|---|---|---|
| 2004 | 4.5% | -1.97% |
| 2003 | 4.6% | +8.02% |
| 2002 | 4.2% | +11.58% |
| 2001 | 3.8% | +16.56% |
| 2000 | 3.3% | +0.31% |
| 1999 | 3.3% | +0.31% |
| 1998 | 3.2% | +0.31% |
| 1997 | 3.2% | +3.53% |
| 1996 | 3.1% | +4.00% |
| 1995 | 3.0% | +3.45% |
| 1994 | 2.9% | +7.81% |
| 1993 | 2.7% | +13.50% |
| 1992 | 2.4% | +0.00% |
| 1991 | 2.4% | — |