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China vs Mexico Unemployment
China moved above Mexico in 1999. In 1991 Mexico stood at roughly 133% of China’s Unemployment; today the figure is about 58%, and the pair was closest in 2014 (104%).
| Year | China | Mexico | Mexico as % of China |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1960 | 2.37% | 3.15% | 133% |
| 1970 | 2.37% | 3.15% | 133% |
| 1980 | 2.37% | 3.15% | 133% |
| 1990 | 2.37% | 3.15% | 133% |
| 2000 | 3.26% | 2.65% | 81% |
| 2010 | 4.53% | 5.3% | 117% |
| 2020 | 5% | 4.44% | 89% |
| 2025 | 4.62% | 2.67% | 58% |
Frequently asked questions
When did China move above Mexico in Unemployment?
In 1999. China’s published Unemployment rose above Mexico’s that year.
How do China and Mexico compare today?
China is ahead: 4.62% against 2.67% — 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: