China: Adult Employment rates Heighten as Youth joblessness Surges to 17.8%

Abiola Olawale
Writer

Ad

Sanae Takaichi Shatters Glass Ceiling, Becomes Japan’s First Female Prime Minister

By Abiola Olawale ​Sanae Takaichi officially made history on Tuesday, October 21, 2025, by being elected as Japan's first female prime minister following a parliamentary vote. Takaichi, an ultraconservative leader of the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) secured the top post after a coalition deal with the right-wing Japan Innovation Party (Ishin no Kai). The 64-year-old…

PDP To Know Fate on Oct 31 as Court Delivers Judgment on National Convention

By Abiola Olawale The political landscape of Nigeria's main opposition party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), remains suspended in uncertainty as the Federal High Court in Abuja has set October 31 as the date for judgment in the contentious suit challenging the party’s planned national convention. ​The high-stakes ruling, which follows the conclusion of legal…

Brent Flirts With $60 as Oversupply Fears Deepen

Oil prices continued to inch lower in early Tuesday trading as concerns about oversupply and sagging demand resumed their grip on the market, even as trade-talks between the United States and China offered a glimmer of optimism. At the time of writing, WTI was down 0.52% at $57.22, while Brent had fallen 0.54% to $60.61.…

Ad

By Obinna Uballa

China’s youth unemployment rate surged to 17.8% in July, highlighting persistent strains in the world’s second-largest economy despite recent government measures to spur growth.

Figures released Tuesday by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) showed joblessness among those aged 16 to 24, excluding college students, rose sharply from 14.5% in June.

The unemployment rate for young adults aged 25 to 29 also ticked higher, reaching 6.9% compared with 6.7% a month earlier. In contrast, the jobless rate among 30- to 59-year-olds eased slightly to 3.9% from 4.0%.

The rise underscores the uneven nature of China’s recovery, with younger workers bearing the brunt of weak labour demand. A record number of college graduates entered the job market this summer, intensifying competition at a time when private firms remain cautious about hiring amid sluggish consumer spending, property market woes, and muted investor confidence.

The NBS had last year suspended publication of youth unemployment figures following criticism over record highs above 20%. The resumption of the data series earlier this year was seen as a move to restore transparency, though authorities continue to stress that excluding full-time students provides a clearer picture of the job market.

China’s broader economy has struggled to regain pre-pandemic momentum. Growth has been hampered by a prolonged property downturn, weak exports, and subdued household demand, prompting Beijing to roll out fresh stimulus measures including support for housing, tax breaks for businesses, and job creation programs targeted at young workers.

Ad

X whatsapp