Updated
Updated · South China Morning Post · Jul 21
China's Youth Jobless Rate Falls to 14.9% in June as 12.7 Million Graduates Loom
Updated
Updated · South China Morning Post · Jul 21

China's Youth Jobless Rate Falls to 14.9% in June as 12.7 Million Graduates Loom

3 articles · Updated · South China Morning Post · Jul 21

Summary

  • China’s 16-24 jobless rate, excluding students, fell 0.7 percentage point to 14.9% in June, marking a third straight monthly decline and helping pull down the overall urban unemployment rate.
  • NBS said the labor market rebounded after the Spring Festival as companies ramped up for seasonal peak operations, with hiring expanding in services, retail, transport and information technology.
  • The 25-29 jobless rate also edged lower to 7.1% from 7.2%, while nationwide employees worked an average 48.2 hours a week.
  • A record 12.7 million students are due to graduate this summer—about 4% more than last year—creating seasonal pressure that could push youth unemployment higher in July and August.

Insights

Is China's falling youth jobless rate masking a deeper crisis in job quality, with millions turning to unstable gig work?
Can Beijing's high-tech industrial plan create enough quality jobs for its record 12.7 million new graduates this summer?