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China vs Saudi Arabia Unemployment
China moved above Saudi Arabia in 2023. In 1991 Saudi Arabia stood at roughly 309% of China’s Unemployment; today the figure is about 66%, and the pair was closest in 2008 (111%).
| Year | China | Saudi Arabia | Saudi Arabia as % of China |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1960 | 2.37% | 7.32% | 309% |
| 1970 | 2.37% | 7.32% | 309% |
| 1980 | 2.37% | 7.32% | 309% |
| 1990 | 2.37% | 7.32% | 309% |
| 2000 | 3.26% | 4.57% | 140% |
| 2010 | 4.53% | 5.55% | 123% |
| 2020 | 5% | 7.66% | 153% |
| 2025 | 4.62% | 3.04% | 66% |
Frequently asked questions
When did China move above Saudi Arabia in Unemployment?
In 2023. China’s published Unemployment rose above Saudi Arabia’s that year.
How do China and Saudi Arabia compare today?
China is ahead: 4.62% against 3.04% — the trailing economy stands at about 66% 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: