Vulnerable employment — all countries

Vulnerable employment — China

Vulnerable employment in China in 2025 — 33.4%. Ranked 103 in the world out of 182. Since 1991, the indicator has fallen by 20.45 pp.

2025 33.4% −0.41 pp vs 2024
World rank 103of 182
Period maximum 53.85%1991
Period minimum 33.4%2025

Trend over time

1991–2025 · % of employment

Vulnerable employment — China, 1991–20253040506019911995199920032007201120152019202320251991: 53.85%1992: 53.26%1993: 52.61%1994: 51.89%1995: 51.18%1996: 50.49%1997: 49.83%1998: 49.21%1999: 48.61%2000: 48.02%2001: 47.38%2002: 46.7%2003: 45.99%2004: 45.24%2005: 44.47%2006: 43.67%2007: 42.83%2008: 42.01%2009: 41.24%2010: 40.49%2011: 39.77%2012: 39.11%2013: 38.5%2014: 37.92%2015: 37.37%2016: 36.84%2017: 36.32%2018: 35.82%2019: 35.32%2020: 35.4%2021: 35.1%2022: 34.66%2023: 34.23%2024: 33.8%2025: 33.4%
Change over the period: −20.45 pp Annual average: -0.6 pp

Comparison, 2025

How the value compares with the world and the groups this territory belongs to: China

China 33.4%
World 42.38%
Eastern Asia computed 31.19%
Vulnerable employment — China, by year China All countries CSV XLSX
Year % Change, pp
2025 33.4 −0.41 pp
2024 33.8 −0.42 pp
2023 34.23 −0.43 pp
2022 34.66 −0.44 pp
2021 35.1 −0.3 pp
2020 35.4 +0.08 pp
2019 35.32 −0.5 pp
2018 35.82 −0.51 pp
2017 36.32 −0.51 pp
2016 36.84 −0.53 pp
2015 37.37 −0.55 pp
2014 37.92 −0.58 pp
2013 38.5 −0.62 pp
2012 39.11 −0.66 pp
2011 39.77 −0.71 pp
2010 40.49 −0.76 pp
2009 41.24 −0.77 pp
2008 42.01 −0.82 pp
2007 42.83 −0.84 pp
2006 43.67 −0.8 pp
2005 44.47 −0.77 pp
2004 45.24 −0.75 pp
2003 45.99 −0.71 pp
2002 46.7 −0.68 pp
2001 47.38 −0.64 pp
2000 48.02 −0.6 pp
1999 48.61 −0.6 pp
1998 49.21 −0.62 pp
1997 49.83 −0.65 pp
1996 50.49 −0.69 pp
1995 51.18 −0.71 pp
1994 51.89 −0.71 pp
1993 52.61 −0.66 pp
1992 53.26 −0.58 pp
1991 53.85

Eastern Asia, 2025

The same indicator for neighboring countries — with links to their pages

About the indicator

The share of own-account workers and contributing family workers in total employment. The ILO devised the category as a substitute for informal employment where informality is not measured: such workers usually have no employment contract, no social insurance and no protection against dismissal, and their income depends directly on what they produce. In the poorest countries this share exceeds three quarters of the employed — wage work there is closer to an exception.

Important: Not the same as informal employment: an employee without a contract does not fall into this category, though they are no better protected. The indicator understates informality in countries where off-the-books hiring is widespread.

Source: ILOSTAT (ILO), license CC BY 4.0.