Unemployment
According to the National Bureau of Statistics of China, as of July 2023, unemployment was at 5.3%. But many argue the true number of jobless is much higher.
Although China's economy has been struggling, the unemployment rate remains relatively low. The rate is based on urban employment. People in rural areas are not counted as it is assumed that rural families all have their own plot of land that they work to provide for themselves.
Millions of workers who have left their villages and towns to seek work in the cities, do not have a permanent address. This means they are not counted in official unemployment figures.
In response to growing unemployment levels the Chinese government continues to make economic growth a priority. A growing economy means greater demand for workers who provide goods and services. This helps keep unemployment down.
Economic growth in China has slowed in recent times but for the majority of the last 20 years it has been far higher than in the UK, Europe or the USA.
The Chinese government has reduced the permit system that used to restrict people's movements. This is supposed to make it easier for individuals to find work. They have also encouraged and supported entrepreneurs and businesses to find new markets for Chinese goods overseas.
