Trade union density rate in China

China: Trade union density rate was 44.25 in 2017. ▲ Rising

Latest (2017)
44.25
Change on year
down 0.7%
World rank
8th
of 86 countries
All-time high
44.56
in 2016
All-time low
30.4
in 2008
Years of data
10
2008–2017

Trade union density rate in China, 2008–2017

0102030402008201220172008: 30.42009: 32.72010: 34.72011: 37.82012: 41.22013: 42.62014: 43.22015: 43.92016: 44.62017: 44.2

Source: International Labour Organization.

Analysis

The most recent figure for trade union density rate in China is 44.25, measured in 2017.

That represents a change of down 0.7% on the previous year and up 45.5% over ten years.

Over the whole period, trade union density rate in China peaked at 44.56 in 2016 and was at its lowest, 30.4, in 2008.

China ranks 8th of 86 countries on this measure, in the top 10%.

Trade union density rate in China, year by year

Annual values for Trade union density rate in China, 2008 to 2017.
Year Value Change
2008 30.4
2009 32.69 +7.5%
2010 34.73 +6.2%
2011 37.8 +8.9%
2012 41.16 +8.9%
2013 42.56 +3.4%
2014 43.22 +1.5%
2015 43.86 +1.5%
2016 44.56 +1.6%
2017 44.25 -0.7%

Averages by decade

DecadeAverage LowestHighest Years
2000s 31.55 30.4 32.69 2
2010s 41.52 34.73 44.56 8

Countries ranked near China

  1. 5 Norway 50.4 compare
  2. 6 Belgium 49.08 compare
  3. 7 Kazakhstan 46.92 compare
  4. 9 Cyprus 43.28 compare
  5. 10 Malta 41.89 compare
  6. 11 Tunisia 38.11 compare

See the full ranking of 86 places →

More work & labour data for China

All data for China →

Frequently asked questions

What is trade union density rate in China?
Trade union density rate in China was 44.25 in 2017, according to International Labour Organization.
What is the highest trade union density rate recorded in China?
The highest recorded value was 44.56 in 2016.
What is the lowest trade union density rate recorded in China?
The lowest recorded value was 30.4 in 2008.
How does China rank for trade union density rate?
China ranks 8th out of 86 countries with data for 2017.
Is trade union density rate rising or falling in China?
Over the last ten years it is up 45.5%. The long-run trend across the full record is rising.
Where does this China data come from?
The figures come from International Labour Organization, published as part of Trade union density rate. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.

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Trade union density rate in China. Statizoid, drawing on International Labour Organization. Retrieved 05 September 2026, from https://labour.statizoid.com/stat/trade-union-density-rate/china/

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About this data

Indicator
Trade union density rate
Source
International Labour Organization
Licence
ILO Terms of Use (attribution required)
Coverage
86 places, 1,182 data points, 2000–2020
Last refreshed

A trade union is defined as a workers' organization constituted for the purpose of furthering and defending the interests of workers. This trade union density rate conveys the number of union members who are employees as a percentage of the total number of employees. For the purpose of this indicator in particular, trade union membership excludes union members who are not in paid employment (self-employed, unemployed, retired, etc.), unless otherwise stated in the notes. The statistics presented in this table result from an ILO data compilation effort (including an annual questionnaire and numerous special enquiries), with contributions from J. Visser. For more information, refer to the Industrial Relations data (IRdata) database description.