Photo: Seebeer Edited by Nicholasjf21 · Public domain · via Wikimedia Commons, shown in greyscale
Topic 03 of 18 · Country Index 2026
China: Work & Labour
Can people find work, and on what terms?
China is placed 60th of 182 countries on work & labour in the Country Index 2026, from 4 of its 4 key statistics. Readings behind it: Employment-to-Population Ratio 61.57 (2025); Labour Income Share 51.23 (2025).
Share
Work & Labour
60th
of 182 countries placed
Placed from 4 of 4 key statistics
01The evidence
The 4 key statistics that decide it
Only these place China on work & labour — one vote each. Every value is the publisher’s own, read at the edition the Country Index 2026 used; the grey ticks are every other country it was compared with, lowest on the left.
Key 1 of 4
Employment-to-Population Ratio
International Labour Organization (ILO)
2025 edition · data for 2025 · CC BY 4.0
61.57
Employed share of the population aged 15+ (%)
Higher is better
China: 61.57. Across the 182 countries in this edition, values run from 21.21 (São Tomé and Príncipe) to 86.9 (Qatar); the world median is 57.72.
- World median
- 57.72
- Best in Eastern Asia
- 79.24 North Korea
- Land neighbours
- Afghanistan 32.46 · Bhutan 62.73 · Hong Kong 54.78 · India 53.31 · Kazakhstan 64.54 · Kyrgyzstan 55.34 · Laos 65.3 · Macau 66.25 · Myanmar 53.41 · Mongolia 56.56 · Nepal 35.14 · Pakistan 49.5 · North Korea 79.24 · Russia 59.81 · Tajikistan 35.62 · Vietnam 71.67
Key 3 of 4
Unemployment Rate
International Labour Organization (ILO)
2025 edition · data for 2025 · CC BY 4.0
4.615
Unemployment (% of labour force)
Lower is better
China: 4.615. Across the 182 countries in this edition, values run from 0.13 (Qatar) to 34.2 (Eswatini); the world median is 5.084.
- World median
- 5.084
- Best in Eastern Asia
- 2.347 Macau
- Land neighbours
- Afghanistan 13.35 · Bhutan 3.227 · Hong Kong 2.799 · India 4.219 · Kazakhstan 4.771 · Kyrgyzstan 3.526 · Laos 1.187 · Macau 2.347 · Myanmar 3.047 · Mongolia 5.233 · Nepal 10.46 · Pakistan 5.42 · North Korea 3.545 · Russia 2.133 · Tajikistan 6.931 · Vietnam 1.523
Key 4 of 4
Vulnerable Employment
International Labour Organization (ILO)
2025 edition · data for 2025 · CC BY 4.0
33.4
Vulnerable employment (% of total employment)
Lower is better
China: 33.4. Across the 182 countries in this edition, values run from 0.456 (Qatar) to 90.22 (Chad); the world median is 28.67.
- World median
- 28.67
- Best in Eastern Asia
- 3.326 Macau
- Land neighbours
- Afghanistan 81.77 · Bhutan 69.03 · Hong Kong 5.761 · India 71.58 · Kazakhstan 24.79 · Kyrgyzstan 28.97 · Laos 76.38 · Macau 3.326 · Myanmar 62.89 · Mongolia 38.37 · Nepal 76.98 · Pakistan 55.51 · North Korea 56.77 · Russia 4.931 · Tajikistan 27.98 · Vietnam 51.4
02Over time
Which way China is moving
Each key’s published value, edition by edition, beside the world median. The Country Index 2026 is the first edition of the standing, so the standing itself has no history to chart yet.
Employment-to-Population Ratio
Employed share of the population aged 15+ (%) · higher is better
ChinaWorld median
China fell from 71.77 in 2000 to 61.57 in 2025; the world median went from 55.86 to 57.72.
Every year’s figures
Year China World median 2025 61.6 57.720 2024 61.9 57.694 2023 62.8 58.158 2022 62.5 57.688 2021 64.1 56.066 2020 62.4 55.691 2019 64.3 57.871 2018 64.9 56.911 2017 65.3 56.738 2016 65.7 56.845 2015 66.1 56.788 2014 66.4 56.774 2013 66.8 56.229 2012 67.2 56.289 2011 67.6 56.297 2010 67.7 56.212 2009 67.9 56.255 2008 68.3 57.308 2007 68.8 56.933 2006 69.1 56.685 2005 69.3 56.129 2004 69.7 55.465 2003 69.9 55.630 2002 70.4 55.843 2001 71.1 56.018 2000 71.8 55.861 Labour Income Share
Labour income share of GDP (%) · higher is better
ChinaWorld median
China fell from 51.45 in 2004 to 51.23 in 2025; the world median went from 46.01 to 46.23.
Every year’s figures
Year China World median 2025 51.228 46.230 2024 51.165 46.060 2023 51.062 45.900 2022 51.602 45.615 2021 50.977 45.433 2020 51.758 47.267 2019 51.419 46.277 2018 51.241 46.187 2017 51.345 46.467 2016 51.515 46.798 2015 51.613 46.876 2014 51.666 47.281 2013 51.731 46.887 2012 51.734 46.231 2011 51.348 45.679 2010 51.112 46.024 2009 51.450 47.071 2008 51.423 45.312 2007 50.331 45.246 2006 50.741 45.670 2005 51.104 46.265 2004 51.455 46.012 Unemployment Rate
Unemployment (% of labour force) · lower is better
ChinaWorld median
China rose from 3.26 in 2000 to 4.615 in 2025; the world median went from 6.918 to 5.084.
Every year’s figures
Year China World median 2025 4.62 5.08 2024 4.59 5.15 2023 4.67 5.21 2022 4.98 5.34 2021 4.55 6.04 2020 5.00 6.38 2019 4.56 5.36 2018 4.31 5.35 2017 4.47 5.59 2016 4.56 5.90 2015 4.65 6.41 2014 4.63 6.58 2013 4.60 6.71 2012 4.58 6.79 2011 4.55 6.90 2010 4.53 7.04 2009 4.72 6.67 2008 4.59 5.79 2007 4.35 6.00 2006 4.43 6.50 2005 4.52 7.09 2004 4.49 6.80 2003 4.58 6.95 2002 4.24 6.91 2001 3.80 6.96 2000 3.26 6.92 Vulnerable Employment
Vulnerable employment (% of total employment) · lower is better
ChinaWorld median
China fell from 48.02 in 2000 to 33.4 in 2025; the world median went from 35.67 to 28.67.
Every year’s figures
Year China World median 2025 33.4 28.67 2024 33.8 29.04 2023 34.2 29.33 2022 34.7 29.67 2021 35.1 30.01 2020 35.4 30.54 2019 35.3 29.98 2018 35.8 30.15 2017 36.3 29.93 2016 36.8 29.91 2015 37.4 30.26 2014 37.9 30.47 2013 38.5 31.14 2012 39.1 31.00 2011 39.8 31.41 2010 40.5 32.37 2009 41.2 32.59 2008 42.0 31.76 2007 42.8 33.47 2006 43.7 34.27 2005 44.5 34.66 2004 45.2 35.51 2003 46.0 35.90 2002 46.7 35.96 2001 47.4 35.27 2000 48.0 35.67
03In context
China beside its neighbours
A position reads best beside the countries around it. Every position below is a place among all 182 countries on work & labour, never a place within the region.
China and the countries it borders
Standing among all 182; the key columns are the publishers’ own values.
| Country | Standing | Employment-to-Population RatioEmployed share of the population aged 15+ (%) | Labour Income ShareLabour income share of GDP (%) | Unemployment RateUnemployment (% of labour force) | Vulnerable EmploymentVulnerable employment (% of total employment) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 Russiacompare | 13th | 59.81 | 48.307 | 2.133 | 4.931 |
 Hong Kong | 22nd | 54.78 | 53.363 | 2.799 | 5.761 |
 Macau | =26th | 66.25 | 30.068 | 2.347 | 3.326 |
 Vietnam | 35th | 71.67 | 47.320 | 1.523 | 51.4 |
 Laos | 52nd | 65.3 | 48.703 | 1.187 | 76.38 |
| China | 60th | 61.57 | 51.228 | 4.615 | 33.4 |
 Kazakhstan | 69th | 64.54 | 41.333 | 4.771 | 24.79 |
 Bhutan | =72nd | 62.73 | 48.314 | 3.227 | 69.03 |
 North Korea | 81st | 79.24 | 38.554 | 3.545 | 56.77 |
 Indiacompare | =99th | 53.31 | 61.825 | 4.219 | 71.58 |
 Myanmar | 109th | 53.41 | 48.667 | 3.047 | 62.89 |
 Kyrgyzstan | =125th | 55.34 | 32.396 | 3.526 | 28.97 |
 Pakistancompare | 136th | 49.5 | 49.828 | 5.42 | 55.51 |
 Mongolia | 148th | 56.56 | 32.883 | 5.233 | 38.37 |
 Nepal | 171st | 35.14 | 48.943 | 10.46 | 76.98 |
 Tajikistan | 172nd | 35.62 | 18.995 | 6.931 | 27.98 |
 Afghanistan | 182nd | 32.46 | 40.771 | 13.35 | 81.77 |
“—”: no published reading in that edition. What a standing is
Across Eastern Asia
Every country in the sub-region, by its place among all 182.
Placed either side on work & labour
The countries immediately above and below China in the topic’s list.
04Context, no vote
Where China is ahead of the world, and behind
24 more statistics filed under work & labour, published in full and deliberately given no vote in the standing. Select a row for the publisher, the rank and the links.
Ahead of the world median13
Statistics on which China does better than the middle country measured.
Firms Offering Formal TrainingWorld Bank Group · 2026 · world median 32.0779.1232.07No earlier reading
China: 79.12 · world median 32.07 · Firms offering formal training to permanent full-time workers (%). World Bank Group, 2026 edition, data for 2026.
Published values in that edition run from 1.42 to 79.12; higher is better.
Trade Union DensityILO · 2020 · world median 16.6844.2516.68No earlier reading
China: 44.25 · world median 16.68 · Employees who are trade union members (%). International Labour Organization (ILO), 2020 edition, data for 2020.
Published values in that edition run from 0.2 to 91.42; higher is better.
Position 10th of 139 · derived.
Firms Competing Against Informal FirmsWorld Bank Group · 2026 · world median 41.8112.1841.81No earlier reading
China: 12.18 · world median 41.81 · Firms competing against unregistered or informal firms (%). World Bank Group, 2026 edition, data for 2026.
Published values in that edition run from 1.926 to 90.5; lower is better.
Position 169th of 181 · derived, 1st = worst.
Length of Paid Maternity LeaveWorld Bank Group · 2025 · world median 9815898▲ Improved since 2015
China: 158 · world median 98 · Paid maternity leave set in law (calendar days). World Bank Group, 2026 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 410; higher is better.
Working Poverty RateILO · 2025 · world median 4.8850.14.885▲ Improved since 2015
China: 0.1 · world median 4.885 · Employed people living in extreme poverty (%). International Labour Organization (ILO), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 0.007 to 86.02; lower is better.
Length of Paid Paternity LeaveWorld Bank Group · 2025 · world median 3143▲ Improved since 2015
China: 14 · world median 3 · Paid paternity leave set in law (calendar days). World Bank Group, 2026 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 196; higher is better.
Unemployment Benefit CoverageILO · 2024 · world median 021.90No earlier reading
China: 21.9 · world median 0 · Unemployed people receiving unemployment benefits (%). International Labour Organization (ILO), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 100; higher is better.
Female Labour Force Participation RateILO · 2025 · world median 53.3659.1553.36▼ Worsened since 2015
China: 59.15 · world median 53.36 · Women aged 15+ in the labour force (%). International Labour Organization (ILO), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 4.663 to 82.91; higher is better.
Position 53rd of 182 · derived.
Labour Force Participation RateILO · 2025 · world median 61.6664.5561.66▼ Worsened since 2015
China: 64.55 · world median 61.66 · Population aged 15+ in the labour force (%). International Labour Organization (ILO), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 23.34 to 87.01; higher is better.
Position 67th of 182 · derived.
Human Capital Wealth per CapitaWorld Bank Group · 2020 · world median 25,23050,83525,230No real change since 2010
China: 50,835 · world median 25,230 · Human capital per person — present value of future earnings (real chained 2019 US$). World Bank Group, 2020 edition, data for 2020.
Published values in that edition run from 700.38 to 735,422; higher is better.
Position 57th of 151 · derived.
Agriculture, Forestry and Fishing Value Added per WorkerWorld Bank Group · 2025 · world median 6,7428,6316,742▲ Improved since 2015
China: 8,631 · world median 6,742 · Agricultural value added per worker (constant 2015 US$). World Bank Group, 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 210.77 to 150,632; higher is better.
Position 70th of 151 · derived.
Firms with a Female Top ManagerWorld Bank Group · 2025 · world median 19.1619.619.16No earlier reading
China: 19.6 · world median 19.16 · Firms with a female top manager (%). World Bank Group, 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 1.429 to 62.9; higher is better.
Position 86th of 179 · derived.
GDP per Person EmployedWorld Bank Group · 2025 · world median 47,38448,12647,384▲ Improved since 2015
China: 48,126 · world median 47,384 · GDP per person employed (constant 2021 international $). World Bank Group, 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 2,456 to 262,554; higher is better.
Position 81st of 168 · derived.
Behind the world median4
Statistics on which China does worse than the middle country measured.
Labour Productivity per Hour WorkedILO · 2025 · world median 22.1620.5922.16▲ Improved since 2015
China: 20.59 · world median 22.16 · Output per hour worked (constant 2021 international $ at PPP). International Labour Organization (ILO), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 0.92 to 164.65; higher is better.
Position 95th of 182 · derived.
Employment Injury Protection CoverageILO · 2024 · world median 45.935.945.9No earlier reading
China: 35.9 · world median 45.9 · Labour force covered in the event of a work injury (%). International Labour Organization (ILO), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 100; higher is better.
Youth Unemployment RateILO · 2025 · world median 12.8315.7912.83▼ Worsened since 2015
China: 15.79 · world median 12.83 · Unemployment, ages 15-24 (% of youth labour force). International Labour Organization (ILO), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 0.457 to 76.77; lower is better.
Position 69th of 182 · derived, 1st = worst.
Compliance with Labour RightsILO · 2024 · world median 1.619.131.61No real change since 2015
China: 9.13 · world median 1.61 · Compliance with freedom of association and collective bargaining rights (0 = best, 10 = worst). International Labour Organization (ILO), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 10; lower is better.
No better end7
These describe the shape of a country — more is not better or worse, only different — so they are never ahead or behind.
Employment in IndustryILO · 2025 · world median 18.8831.7918.88Moved since 2015
China: 31.79 · world median 18.88 · Employment in industry (% of total employment). International Labour Organization (ILO), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 3.103 to 39.44.
Position 13th of 182 · derived, counted from the highest value.
Average Weekly Hours WorkedILO · 2025 · world median 38.8944.5638.89Moved since 2015
China: 44.56 · world median 38.89 · Average weekly hours actually worked per employed person. International Labour Organization (ILO), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 23.64 to 54.7.
Position 25th of 182 · derived, counted from the highest value.
Employment in AgricultureILO · 2025 · world median 14.3821.6814.38Moved since 2015
China: 21.68 · world median 14.38 · Employment in agriculture (% of total employment). International Labour Organization (ILO), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 0.095 to 85.34.
Position 79th of 182 · derived, counted from the highest value.
Self-Employment RateILO · 2025 · world median 31.8437.6731.84Moved since 2015
China: 37.67 · world median 31.84 · Self-employed (% of total employment). International Labour Organization (ILO), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 0.832 to 91.56.
Position 82nd of 182 · derived, counted from the highest value.
Public Sector EmploymentWorld Bank Group · 2022 · world median 15.0114.9715.01No earlier reading
China: 14.97 · world median 15.01 · Public sector employment (% of total employment). World Bank Group, 2022 edition, data for 2022.
Published values in that edition run from 1.672 to 47.1.
Position 69th of 135 · derived, counted from the highest value.
Statutory Minimum WageILO · 2024 · world median 657.95543.54657.95Moved since 2014
China: 543.54 · world median 657.95 · Statutory minimum wage per month (2021 PPP $). International Labour Organization (ILO), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 4.038 to 3,804.
Employment in ServicesILO · 2025 · world median 59.5146.5359.51No real change since 2015
China: 46.53 · world median 59.51 · Employment in services (% of total employment). International Labour Organization (ILO), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 11.56 to 92.17.
Position 139th of 182 · derived, counted from the highest value.
No current reading for China
Average Monthly Earnings of Employees (last 2022), Composite Rate of Labour Underutilisation (LU4), Fatal Occupational Injuries, Female Share of Senior and Middle Management, Gini Index of Monthly Earnings, Informal Employment Rate, Labour Inspectors per 10,000 Employed Persons, Low Pay Rate (last 2008), Share of Temporary Employees and Youth Not in Education, Employment or Training. Listed rather than hidden, so the page can be checked against it.
“Position · derived” is this site’s ordering of the published values, 1st = best unless the row says otherwise; the publisher ranks no country on it. Rank, position and standing
05Country Index 2026
Work & Labour among China’s 16 topics
Work & Labour is China’s 9th best-placed topic of 16. Strongest first, each marker at its share of that topic’s field.
- Food & Agriculture6th of 1844/4 keys
- Mobility & Trade9th of 1774/4 keys
- Digital & Technologyjoint 23rd of 1984/4 keys
- Health & Wellbeing47th of 2003/4 keys
- Poverty & Inequality39th of 1593/3 keys
- Education & Knowledge51st of 1982/4 keys
- Economy & Innovationjoint 46th of 1764/4 keys
- Development & Human Capital62nd of 1963/3 keys
- Work & Labour60th of 1824/4 keys
- Risk & Resilience80th of 1934/4 keys
- Energyjoint 87th of 1653/3 keys
- Peace & Security102nd of 1774/4 keys
- Governance & Institutions125th of 1944/4 keys
- Gender & Equality124th of 1834/4 keys
- Environment & Sustainability157th of 1864/4 keys
- Democracy & Civil Liberties178th of 1983/4 keys
06The top of the list
Who leads on work & labour
The three countries placed highest of 182, and the leaders China can most readily be measured against.
1
IcelandNorthern Europe
1st of 182 · 4 of 4 keys
Photo: Hansueli Krapf · CC BY-SA 3.0, greyscale
2
JapanEastern Asia
2nd of 182 · 4 of 4 keys
Photo: JurriaanH · CC BY-SA 3.0, greyscale
3
South KoreaEastern Asia
3rd of 182 · 4 of 4 keys
Photo: Unknown author · CC BY-SA 2.0, greyscale
Placed highest nearby
Highest in Asia
Japan2nd4/4 keysThis page
China60th4/4 keys
Positions out of 182 placed on the topic. A country needs readings on enough keys to be placed, and the top of the list is often held on fewer of them.
07Analysis
Charts and analysis about China and work & labour
About China
China Leads Global High-Technology Exports
The world’s ten largest high-technology exporters as a treemap, with the rest of the world beside them. Each country’s figure is its own most recent year, between 2022 and 2024.
On work & labour
Countries in Asia with the highest average salaries 2024
Thirteen Asian countries by gross average monthly wage, each carrying its WORLD rank rather than an Asian one — so the numbers skip, from 11th place to 45th.
On work & labour
Countries With The Highest Average Salaries in 2024
The ten highest-paying countries of 2024, their bars coloured by continent, and six more added for comparison — from Australia in 13th place to India in 85th.
08Questions
China on work & labour: questions answered
Every answer is built from the numbers on this page, so none can say something the page does not.
How does China rank on work & labour?
China is placed 60th of 182 countries on Work & Labour in the Country Index 2026, from 4 of its 4 key statistics (Employment-to-Population Ratio, Labour Income Share, Unemployment Rate and Vulnerable Employment). The position is this site’s ordering of published statistics, not a rank any publisher printed.
What is the latest Employment-to-Population Ratio figure for China?
61.57 in 2025 (employed share of the population aged 15+ (%)), according to International Labour Organization (ILO). The world median in the same edition was 57.72.
What is the latest Labour Income Share figure for China?
51.23 in 2025 (labour income share of GDP (%)), according to International Labour Organization (ILO). The world median in the same edition was 46.23.
How does China compare with India on work & labour?
India is placed joint 99th of 182, and China 60th. Employment-to-Population Ratio: India 53.31, China 61.57; Labour Income Share: India 61.83, China 51.23; Unemployment Rate: India 4.219, China 4.615; Vulnerable Employment: India 71.58, China 33.4.
How have China’s work & labour figures changed?
Employment-to-Population Ratio fell from 71.77 in 2000 to 61.57 in 2025; Labour Income Share fell from 51.45 in 2004 to 51.23 in 2025; Unemployment Rate rose from 3.26 in 2000 to 4.615 in 2025; Vulnerable Employment fell from 48.02 in 2000 to 33.4 in 2025.
Which work & labour statistics are missing for China?
No current reading is published for China on Average Monthly Earnings of Employees, Composite Rate of Labour Underutilisation (LU4), Fatal Occupational Injuries, Female Share of Senior and Middle Management, Gini Index of Monthly Earnings, Informal Employment Rate, Labour Inspectors per 10,000 Employed Persons, Low Pay Rate, Share of Temporary Employees and Youth Not in Education, Employment or Training. They are listed rather than hidden, so the evidence on the page can be checked against it.
09Method
Method, sources and how to cite
What this topic does not measure
Wages in money terms are not a key here, because pay figures are hard to compare fairly across countries with very different prices. Labour productivity, working hours, youth unemployment and the balance between farming, industry and services are published on this page as context. The size and growth of the wider economy belong to Economy & Innovation.
How the Work & Labour standing is decided
A standing is this site’s ordering, named with its edition — never a publisher’s rank. 4 key statistics vote, one vote each; every country’s published value becomes a place within that key’s own field, the places are averaged, and the average is never published. A country needs 2 of the 4 keys to be placed.
The work & labour method, step by stepHow every standing on this site is built
The key statistics and their licences
- Employment-to-Population Ratio — International Labour Organization (ILO), CC BY 4.0
- Labour Income Share — International Labour Organization (ILO), CC BY 4.0
- Unemployment Rate — International Labour Organization (ILO), CC BY 4.0
- Vulnerable Employment — International Labour Organization (ILO), CC BY 4.0
The other 24 statistics on this page come from 2 publishers, each named beside its numbers, with every edition and licence on the datasets pages.
The standing itself is part of the Country Index 2026, published under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Photographs
China’s banner and the countries placed highest, from their profiles: Wikimedia Commons, shown in greyscale, each used under the licence named.
- China (banner) — Seebeer Edited by Nicholasjf21, Public domain
- Iceland — Hansueli Krapf, CC BY-SA 3.0
- Japan — JurriaanH, CC BY-SA 3.0
- South Korea — Unknown author, CC BY-SA 2.0
Cite this page
Nations Inquiry (2026). China: Work & Labour — standing and statistics, Country Index 2026. https://nationsinquiry.com/countries/china/work