China Youth Unemployment Rate Rises to 16.9 Percent
China's jobless rate for 16-to-24-year-olds rose to 16.9% in March, reversing a recent downward trend. Rates for those aged 25 to 29 also increased to 7.7%.
New economic data reveals that the urban unemployment rate in China increased across several age demographics in March, according to figures released by the National Bureau of Statistics. The rise was particularly pronounced among younger workers, reversing a period of improvement that had persisted for several months. For the youngest segment of the workforce, consisting of individuals aged 16 to 24 who are not students, the jobless rate rose to 16.9% from 16.1% in February. This uptick marks the first time the rate has increased since a downward trend began in September last year. Similarly, the unemployment rate for those in the 25-to-29 age bracket, excluding students, climbed to 7.7% from 7.2% the previous month. The broader workforce also saw a marginal increase in joblessness. For individuals aged 30 to 59, the unemployment rate edged up to 4.3%, compared to 4.2% in February. These figures highlight ongoing challenges in the urban labor market as the country navigates shifting economic conditions.
