China's 19.6% youth unemployment rate may pose 'a threat to social stability'

A crowd of Chinese college graduates at a jobs fair. (Credit: CFOTO—Future Publishing via Getty Images)

Youth unemployment in China worsened in March, even as the country’s economy recovers from years of COVID-era isolation, according to economic data the government released Tuesday.

Unemployment among those aged 16 to 24 rose to 19.6% in March, up from 18.1% in both January and February, and inching toward the 19.9% of last July, the highest level since records began in 2018. Youth unemployment was 16% in March 2022.