China has, for the first time since youth unemployment hit a record high in June last year, published unemployment data for young people. A new method was used to determine the figures, which exclude students. According to the new method, in December, the unemployment rate for people between 16 and 24 was 14.9%. The rate had previously reached 21.3% in June when using the former method that included students. The change in methodology was introduced following a surge in youth unemployment due to an economic slowdown in 2023. It aims to more accurately reflect the unemployment situation among young people entering society and to help authorities in providing more precise employment services and formulate more effective employment policies.

An unemployment rate was also published for the 25 to 29 age group, reflecting the employment situation of university graduates. This rate, which also excludes students, was recorded at 6.1% in December. China’s overall urban unemployment rate in December rose slightly to 5.1% from 5.0% in the months from September through November. There are mounting pressures on China to increase job creation and support employment, as the country expects the number of university graduates to hit a record high of 11.79 million this year.