China expects 12.7 million higher-education graduates
The announced cohort grew from 7.65 million in 2016 to 12.7 million in 2026, up 66%. A graduating cohort is not a count of new jobseekers.
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The announced cohort grew from 7.65 million in 2016 to 12.7 million in 2026, up 66%. A graduating cohort is not a count of new jobseekers.
Bars: announced graduating cohorts, in millions. Coverage: 2016 and 2022–2026; gaps are not filled.
- 2016 people
2016: 7,650,000
- 2022 people
2022: 10,760,000
- 2023 people
2023: 11,580,000
- 2024 people
2024: 11,790,000
- 2025 people
2025: 12,220,000
- 2026 people
2026: 12,700,000
China MOE publications for regular higher education, including vocational programmes. Announced cohort sizes are retained; 2026 is an expectation. This is not a final degree-completion series.
Some graduates continue studying; some already work. Cohort size does not reveal unemployment, new jobs or AI effects.
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