Unemployment, youth total (% of total labor force ages 15-24) in China

China: Unemployment, youth total (% of total labor force ages 15-24) was 14.2% in 2021. ▲ Rising

Latest (2021)
14.2%
Change on year
up 0.4%
World rank
72nd
of 160 countries
All-time high
14.2%
in 2021
All-time low
9.1%
in 2000
Years of data
5
2000–2021

Unemployment, youth total (% of total labor force ages 15-24) in China, 2000–2021

0510152000201020212000: 9.12018: 10.82019: 11.82020: 14.22021: 14.2

Source: Labour Force Statistics database (LFS), International Labour Organization (ILO).

Analysis

The most recent figure for unemployment, youth total (% of total labor force ages 15-24) in China is 14.2%, measured in 2021. That is the highest value across all 5 years on record.

The figure is up 0.4% on the previous year and up 31.8% over five years.

Over the whole period, unemployment, youth total (% of total labor force ages 15-24) in China peaked at 14.2% in 2021 and was at its lowest, 9.1%, in 2000.

China ranks 72nd of 160 countries on this measure, in the middle of the range.

Unemployment, youth total (% of total labor force ages 15-24) in China, year by year

Annual values for Unemployment, youth total (% of total labor force ages 15-24) (national estimate) in China, 2000 to 2021.
Year Value Change
2000 9.1%
2018 10.8% +19.0%
2019 11.8% +9.4%
2020 14.2% +19.9%
2021 14.2% +0.4%

China compared with similar countries

  • China's 14.2% is below the median for upper middle income countries, which is 15.5%, 92% of the median. (48 countries reporting)
  • China's 14.2% is above the median for East Asia & Pacific, which is 8.0%, 1.8× the median. (25 countries reporting)

Averages by decade

DecadeAverage LowestHighest Years
2000s 9.1% 9.1% 9.1% 1
2010s 11.3% 10.8% 11.8% 2
2020s 14.2% 14.2% 14.2% 2

Countries ranked near China

  1. 69 United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland 15.2% compare
  2. 70 Latvia 14.8% compare
  3. 71 Mongolia 14.4% compare
  4. 73 Oman 14.2% compare
  5. 74 Lithuania 14.1% compare
  6. 75 Norway 14.0% compare

See the full ranking of 189 places →

More work & labour data for China

All data for China →

Frequently asked questions

What is unemployment, youth total (% of total labor force ages 15-24) in China?
Unemployment, youth total (% of total labor force ages 15-24) in China was 14.2% in 2021, according to Labour Force Statistics database (LFS), International Labour Organization (ILO).
What is the highest unemployment, youth total (% of total labor force ages 15-24) recorded in China?
The highest recorded value was 14.2% in 2021.
What is the lowest unemployment, youth total (% of total labor force ages 15-24) recorded in China?
The lowest recorded value was 9.1% in 2000.
How does China rank for unemployment, youth total (% of total labor force ages 15-24)?
China ranks 72nd out of 160 countries with data for 2021.
Where does this China data come from?
The figures come from Labour Force Statistics database (LFS), International Labour Organization (ILO), published as part of Unemployment, youth total (% of total labor force ages 15-24) (national estimate). Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.

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Unemployment, youth total (% of total labor force ages 15-24) in China. Statizoid, drawing on Labour Force Statistics database (LFS), International Labour Organization (ILO). Retrieved 15 September 2026, from https://labour.statizoid.com/stat/unemployment-youth-total-percent-of-total-labor-force-ages-15-24-national-estimate/china/

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About this data

Indicator
Unemployment, youth total (% of total labor force ages 15-24) (national estimate)
Source
Labour Force Statistics database (LFS), International Labour Organization (ILO)
Licence
CC BY 4.0 (World Bank Open Data)
Coverage
189 places, 4,166 data points, 1960–2025
Last refreshed

Youth unemployment refers to the share of the labor force ages 15-24 without work but available for and seeking employment. Definitions of labor force and unemployment differ by country.