16.03.202602:23:03UTC+00China Jobless Rate at 6-Month High

China’s surveyed urban unemployment rate rose to 5.3% in February 2026, up from 5.2% in January and exceeding market expectations of 5.1%. Among the locally registered labor force, the unemployment rate inched up to 5.4% after holding at 5.3% for the previous five months. The rate for the migrant labor force increased to 5.0%, compared with 4.8% in January. Within the migrant workforce, individuals with agricultural household registration recorded an unemployment rate of 5.2%. Across 31 major cities, the surveyed urban unemployment rate remained unchanged at 5.1%. Meanwhile, employees of enterprises nationwide worked an average of 48.1 hours per week.