China urban jobs continue to grow, with the country creating 6.95 million new jobs in cities during the first six months of 2026. Officials say the labour market remains stable and is on track to meet its annual employment target.
BEIJING: China urban jobs are off to a strong start in 2026, with the country creating 6.95 million new jobs in cities during the first half of the year. The latest figures suggest China remains on course to meet its employment target despite ongoing global economic uncertainties.
According to China’s Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security (MHRSS), the number of new urban jobs created between January and June 2026 is the same as the figure recorded during the same period last year. The country’s average surveyed urban unemployment rate also remained steady at 5.2 per cent.
The numbers are encouraging for policymakers, as they already account for around 58 per cent of China’s annual goal of creating more than 12 million new urban jobs in 2026 while keeping the unemployment rate at around 5.5 per cent.
Speaking at a press conference, Cui Pengcheng, spokesperson for the MHRSS, said the stable employment figures reflect the government’s continued efforts to support the labour market. He said several measures have been introduced this year to help businesses hire more workers and create new opportunities across different sectors.
Experts believe the strong performance is being driven by a combination of steady economic growth, government-backed employment policies and the rapid rise of new industries. Areas such as artificial intelligence, advanced manufacturing and digital technologies are creating fresh demand for skilled workers and opening up new career opportunities.
The ministry has also rolled out several initiatives aimed at preparing people for these changing job markets. These include expanding vocational skills training, strengthening partnerships between the human resources sector and manufacturers, and introducing new employment support programmes under China’s 15th Five-Year Plan (2026-2030).
Officials say these efforts are designed not only to create more jobs but also to improve the quality of employment by helping workers develop skills that match the needs of fast-growing industries.
China has also introduced an action plan focused on stabilising and expanding employment, especially as businesses continue adapting to economic changes and technological advancements. The government believes investing in workforce development will play a key role in supporting long-term economic growth.
While challenges remain, including slowing global demand and an evolving job market, the first-half figures offer a positive sign for the world’s second-largest economy. If the current pace continues, China urban jobs are expected to comfortably exceed the country’s full-year target, giving policymakers confidence that the labour market will remain stable through the rest of 2026.
