Key facts
- China's youth unemployment rate hit a record 18.9% in May.
- The previous record was 18.3% in April.
- The number of people aged 16-24 unemployed rose to 11.7 million.
- The government aims to create 12 million urban jobs this year.
China's youth unemployment rate surged to a record 18.9% in May, underscoring the challenges faced by young job seekers in the world's second-largest economy. This figure represents a significant increase from the previous record of 18.3% recorded in April. The rising rate is largely attributed to a record influx of university graduates entering the job market, coupled with a slower-than-expected economic recovery.