China Employment Crisis & Economic Headwinds
China lost 9.9 million employed people last year — the second worst year in history — with all three worst years occurring since 2022, raising concerns about structural economic deterioration.
What we know
An account on X RT'd Barchart data showing China suffered a net decline of 9.9 million employed people in 2025 — the second worst year on record. Critically, the three worst years in history for Chinese employment have all occurred since 2022, suggesting a structural deterioration rather than a one-off shock. This data point adds to the growing narrative of China's economic challenges, which intersects with global macro positioning and commodity demand outlooks.
By the Global Eye 24 desk, with AI assistance. Updated as the story develops. Spot an error? Write to corrections@globaleye24.com.