China Youth Jobless Rate Hits 11-Month High in July

China’s youth jobless rate for 16- to 24-year-olds, excluding college students, jumped to 17.8% in July 2025 from 14.5% in June, marking the highest reading since August 2024, according to data from the National Bureau of Statistics released Thursday. The rise in youth unemployment reflects persistent difficulties for fresh graduates and younger workers, with demand in sectors like technology, real estate, and education remaining subdued. Analysts noted that the ongoing property downturn and weak private investment continue to weigh on hiring, while small- and medium-sized firms—key employers of young workers—face tighter financing conditions. Policymakers have pledged more support, including vocational training and incentives for firms to hire young people. Meanwhile, data released earlier showed the surveyed jobless rate in the country rose to a four-month high of 5.2% in July, slightly above market forecasts of 5.1%.