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China vs France Unemployment
France has posted the higher Unemployment in every published year. In 1991 China stood at roughly 26% of France’s Unemployment; today the figure is about 61%, and the pair was closest in 2022 (68%).
| Year | China | France | France as % of China |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1960 | 9.13% | 2.37% | 26% |
| 1970 | 9.13% | 2.37% | 26% |
| 1980 | 9.13% | 2.37% | 26% |
| 1990 | 9.13% | 2.37% | 26% |
| 2000 | 10.22% | 3.26% | 32% |
| 2010 | 9.28% | 4.53% | 49% |
| 2020 | 8.01% | 5% | 62% |
| 2025 | 7.54% | 4.62% | 61% |
Frequently asked questions
When did France move above China in Unemployment?
It has not come to that. France has posted the higher Unemployment in every published year (1991–2025).
How do China and France compare today?
France is ahead: 7.54% against 4.62% — the trailing economy stands at about 61% of the leader.
Are these Unemployment figures nominal or adjusted?
The series is a share expressed in % of total labor force, exactly as the World Bank publishes it; movements are percentage points, not percent.
Full series
Every published year for both economies, with charts, downloads and citations: