China's urban unemployment rate averages 5.3% in first two months: NBS

(ECNS) -- China's average nationwide urban unemployment rate stood at 5.3 percent in January and February, remaining largely unchanged from the same period last year, according to data released by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) on Monday.

In February, the urban surveyed unemployment rate was 5.4 percent, up 0.2 percentage points from the previous month. 

Officials stated that these data fluctuations were within the normal range and that overall employment stability remains unchanged.

According to Fu Linghui, spokesperson for the NBS, previous trends indicate that January and February coincide with the period when migrant workers return home before the Spring Festival and return to work afterward, causing fluctuations in labor market supply and demand. This often results in a seasonal increase in the urban unemployment rate, which then declines as post-holiday work resumption progresses.

The 2025 government work report has set a projected target of keeping the urban unemployment rate at around 5.5 percent and creating over 12 million new jobs. Fu acknowledged that stabilizing and expanding employment would require significant efforts.

He noted that this year, 12.22 million college graduates would enter the job market, that the employment scale of people lifted out of poverty must remain above 30 million, and that stable employment for rural migrant workers must be guaranteed.

Fu emphasized that as China continues to expand domestic demand and promote high-quality development, the upgrading of traditional industries and growth of emerging sectors and new business models would provide a solid foundation for job creation. Coupled with the ongoing effectiveness of employment-first policies and improving job market conditions, these factors would help maintain overall employment stability.

By Zhao Li