China’s urban youth unemployment rate for 16- to 24-year-olds, excluding students, edged down to 16.1% in February 2026 from 16.3% in the previous month, according to data from the National Bureau of Statistics. While this marked the lowest level since June last year, the rate remained elevated, underscoring persistent economic pressures and a still-challenging job market, after hitting a record 21.3% in June 2023. Meanwhile, unemployment among those aged 25–29, also excluding students, rose to 7.2% from 6.8% in January. The jobless rate for the 30–59 age group increased to 4.2% from 4.0%. Earlier data also showed China’s surveyed unemployment rate ticked up to 5.3% in February from 5.2% in January, the highest level in six months.