A worker from the local human resources and social security bureau briefs job seekers on talent policies at a job fair in Lianyungang, Jiangsu province, on Jan 9. More than 300 positions were available.
China’s employment landscape remained stable in 2025, supported by steady economic growth and targeted government measures to promote job creation. Experts noted that emerging industries and new technologies are reshaping the labour market, prompting policymakers to cultivate fresh engines of employment and pursue higher‑quality, fuller job growth.
According to newly released data from the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), the surveyed urban unemployment rate averaged 5.2% in 2025, up slightly by 0.1 percentage point from the previous year but still within the annual target of 5.5%.
In December, the unemployment rate stood at 5.1% and remained unchanged across 31 major cities, including Beijing and Shanghai. The number of migrant workers reached approximately 301.15 million in 2025, an increase of 1.42 million, or 0.5%, year‑on‑year.
The Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security reported that around 12.1 million new urban jobs were created in the first 11 months of 2025, achieving the annual target ahead of schedule.
Wang Pingping, director of the NBS population and employment census department, noted that seasonal fluctuations, such as public holidays and the graduation period, led to temporary increases in unemployment, but most months recorded rates of 5.2% or lower. “Overall, the job market remained stable in 2025,” she wrote in an article on the bureau’s official website.
Wang highlighted that workers aged 30 to 59, who make up nearly 80% of China’s urban workforce, had an average unemployment rate of around four percent, 1.2 percentage points below the national average.
“Their stable employment laid a solid foundation for the overall stability of the job market,” she said.
She added that China’s large population and abundant labour resources continue to support economic development. By the end of 2025, China’s population exceeded 1.4 billion, with 968.48 million people aged 15 to 64, nearly 69% of the total.
Li Chang’an, a professor at the University of International Business and Economics, said employment stability in 2025 was driven by solid economic performance and a comprehensive policy framework. China’s GDP grew by five percent in 2025 to about 140.2 trillion yuan ($20.13 trillion).
“Economic growth is the foundation for expanding and stabilising employment, while supportive government policies serve as an important complement,” Li said. He added that sustaining economic momentum and ensuring employment policies benefit the wider public will be key priorities in 2026.
Kang Yan, CEO of recruitment platform Zhaopin, noted that emerging industries, such as information services, artificial intelligence, and new energy, are reshaping China’s employment structure and generating new opportunities.
“In the coming years, the government can seize opportunities from these sectors by strengthening forward‑looking skills training and education systems,” Kang said. He also emphasised the importance of the modern services sector in stabilising employment and called for continued improvements to the business environment to unlock market potential.
