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China vs Japan Unemployment
China moved above Japan in 1995. In 1991 Japan stood at roughly 87% of China’s Unemployment; today the figure is about 53%, and the pair was closest in 2011 (100%).
| Year | China | Japan | Japan as % of China |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1960 | 2.37% | 2.06% | 87% |
| 1970 | 2.37% | 2.06% | 87% |
| 1980 | 2.37% | 2.06% | 87% |
| 1990 | 2.37% | 2.06% | 87% |
| 2000 | 3.26% | 4.75% | 146% |
| 2010 | 4.53% | 5.1% | 113% |
| 2020 | 5% | 2.81% | 56% |
| 2025 | 4.62% | 2.45% | 53% |
Frequently asked questions
When did China move above Japan in Unemployment?
In 1995. China’s published Unemployment rose above Japan’s that year.
How do China and Japan compare today?
China is ahead: 4.62% against 2.45% — the trailing economy stands at about 53% 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: