China stops releasing youth unemployment data after months of record highs

China has decided to stop releasing monthly data on youth unemployment after the number hit record highs for several consecutive months, the Global Times reported on August 16. The youth unemployment rate in China from April to June was 20.4%, 20.8% and 21.3%, according to CNN.

Fu Linghui, spokesman for the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), said that it will stop publishing unemployment data for the 16-24 age group from August because labor market statistics need to be improved.

Young people attend a job fair in Wuhan city (China) last week.

The official explained that most urban youth aged 16-18 are in high school and those aged 18-24 are in university, which could affect the survey results on the unemployment rate.

The number of students aged 16-24 has increased in recent years and their main task should be to study rather than find a job, according to an NBS spokesman.

“Whether students who look for jobs before graduating should be included in the statistics is a matter of debate. This needs further study,” said Pho. He also said that the age of “young job seekers” should be looked at more closely, as young people now spend more time studying than before.

The official announced that the NBS will conduct thorough research to improve the statistical method and will release the data again once the process is complete.

China's youth unemployment data has been discontinued as the economy loses momentum in its recovery from the Covid-19 pandemic.

CGTN quoted Mr. Fu as saying that the economy continued to recover but still faced challenges and pressures from a complex international environment and weak domestic demand.

Retail sales rose 2.5% in July from a year earlier, but that was a slowdown from a 3.1% increase in June. It was also the weakest increase since December 2022, when China lifted strict anti-epidemic regulations.

Industrial production also fell short of expectations, rising only 3.7%, down from June's 4.4% increase. Fixed asset investment rose 3.4% in July, down from June's 3.8%.

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