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China vs South Korea Unemployment
China moved above South Korea in 1994. In 1991 South Korea stood at roughly 102% of China’s Unemployment; today the figure is about 58%.
| Year | China | South Korea | South Korea as % of China |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1960 | 2.37% | 2.41% | 102% |
| 1970 | 2.37% | 2.41% | 102% |
| 1980 | 2.37% | 2.41% | 102% |
| 1990 | 2.37% | 2.41% | 102% |
| 2000 | 3.26% | 4.06% | 125% |
| 2010 | 4.53% | 3.32% | 73% |
| 2020 | 5% | 3.93% | 79% |
| 2025 | 4.62% | 2.68% | 58% |
Frequently asked questions
When did China move above South Korea in Unemployment?
In 1994. China’s published Unemployment rose above South Korea’s that year.
How do China and Korea, Rep. compare today?
China is ahead: 4.62% against 2.68% — the trailing economy stands at about 58% 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: