China Creates 10.52 Million Urban Jobs in 9 Months as 2026 Unemployment Holds at 5.2%
Updated
Updated · China Daily · Oct 12
China Creates 10.52 Million Urban Jobs in 9 Months as 2026 Unemployment Holds at 5.2%
3 articles · Updated · China Daily · Oct 12
Summary
About 10.52 million people found urban jobs in China in the first nine months of 2026, reaching 87.7% of the full-year target.
The surveyed urban unemployment rate averaged 5.2% in the first eight months, as officials said employment stability will remain a priority through the 2026-30 plan.
Beijing said it will use more proactive fiscal and financial support, shore up labor-intensive and service sectors, and expand emerging industries to offset AI-driven disruption.
The labor ministry also plans government-subsidized vocational training for 10 million people a year and aims to help 40 million obtain state-recognized skills certificates over five years.
College graduates, gig workers and other key groups remain a focus, with tax cuts, subsidies, regular public-sector hiring and tighter oversight of discrimination, pay and social insurance.