China's urban youth unemployment rate for people aged 16–24, excluding students, rose for a second consecutive month to 18.9% in August 2026, the highest level in a year, from 17.9% in July, according to the National Bureau of Statistics. This increase mirrored the broader jobless rate, which went up to 5.3% from 5.2%. Meanwhile, the unemployment rate for 25–29-year-olds, excluding students, inched up to 7.5% from 7.2%, while the jobless rate for the 30–59 age group remained unchanged at 3.9%.