A job fair for college graduates is held at the Hefei Sports Center in Anhui province on May 29, 2023. (WANG YISHENG / FOR CHINA DAILY)

The National Bureau of Statistics has suspended the release of youth unemployment rate from August, because "economic and social development is continuously evolving, necessitating ongoing improvements in statistical practices. Labor force survey statistics also require further enhancement and optimization", according to the bureau.

Fu Linghui, spokesman of the NBS, said at a news conference on Tuesday in Beijing that China has seen an increase in the number of college students in recent years, with the students aged between 16 to 24 years old reaching over 65 million in 2022. The whole population of youths at this age range was around 96 million last year.

"The college students put their focus on gaining knowledge at campuses while the public holds different opinions on whether we should include these college students in employment analysis before their graduation. Also, we need research to extend the age period of defining 'youths' as the young people are now having longer schooling years," he added.

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He said the bureau will improve its statistical methods to reflect the real situation of the nation's employment market in the future to better serve the nation's economic and social development.