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China vs India Unemployment
China moved above India in 2022. In 1991 India stood at roughly 322% of China’s Unemployment; today the figure is about 91%, and the pair was closest in 2022 (97%).
| Year | China | India | India as % of China |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1960 | 2.37% | 7.64% | 322% |
| 1970 | 2.37% | 7.64% | 322% |
| 1980 | 2.37% | 7.64% | 322% |
| 1990 | 2.37% | 7.64% | 322% |
| 2000 | 3.26% | 7.59% | 233% |
| 2010 | 4.53% | 7.63% | 168% |
| 2020 | 5% | 7.86% | 157% |
| 2025 | 4.62% | 4.22% | 91% |
Frequently asked questions
When did China move above India in Unemployment?
In 2022. China’s published Unemployment rose above India’s that year.
How do China and India compare today?
China is ahead: 4.62% against 4.22% — the trailing economy stands at about 91% 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: