China reports 6.95 million new urban jobs in first half of 2026

China reported 6.95 million new urban jobs in the first half of 2026, with the overall employment situation described as generally stable, official data showed in Beijing. The average surveyed urban unemployment rate stood at 5.2 percent.

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Cui Pengcheng, spokesperson for the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security, said the first-half total is unchanged from the same period last year and places the country on track to meet its full-year target of creating more than 12 million new urban jobs. He said the ministry is aiming to keep the surveyed urban unemployment rate at around 5.5 percent.

The Ministry said it has stepped up efforts to stabilise the labour market this year through employment support measures, a human resources development plan under the 15th Five-Year Plan (2026-30), and an action plan to stabilise and expand employment. It has also expanded pilot programmes linking the human resources services industry with manufacturing and strengthened large-scale vocational skills training.

The Global Times said the first-half total represents about 58 percent of the annual employment target, while analysts cited resilient economic growth, pro-employment policies and momentum from emerging industries including artificial intelligence.

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