China youth unemployment up to 17.9% as graduate numbers grow, growth slows

China's youth unemployment rose to 17.9 per cent in July, the second-highest in recent years, as a record 12.7 million university graduates entered the shrinking job market amid economic slowdown, according to official data released on Wednesday.

The jobless rate for those aged 16-24, excluding students, rose three points to 17.9 per cent from 14.9 per cent in June, the data released by the National Bureau of Statistics said.

The 17.9 per cent official figure was the second highest after the 17.8 per cent rate recorded in June and 18.9 per cent in August last year.

The rise in the youth unemployment rate coincides with the entry of a record 12.7 million university graduates in July/Aug, up by four per cent from last year.

The unemployment rate for those aged 25-29 also rose to 7.2 per cent in July, up from 7.1 per cent in June.

Unemployment in China was not much of an issue until a decade ago, as the economy in the past expanded at exceptionally high rates, generating millions of