China: Labor force

The latest value from 2023 is 779.89 million people, a decline from 781.81 million people in 2022. In comparison, the world average is 20.30 million people, based on data from 178 countries. Historically, the average for China from 1991 to 2023 is 746.76 million people. The minimum value, 647.24 million people, was reached in 1991 while the maximum of 781.81 million people was recorded in 2022. See the global rankings for that indicator or use the country comparator to compare trends over time.

Definition: Labor force comprises people ages 15 and older who supply labor for the production of goods and services during a specified period. It includes people who are currently employed and people who are unemployed but seeking work as well as first-time job-seekers. Not everyone who works is included, however. Unpaid workers, family workers, and students are often omitted, and some countries do not count members of the armed forces. Labor force size tends to vary during the year as seasonal workers enter and leave.