调查失业率 (diàochá shīyèlǜ): Surveyed urban unemployment rate

The Government Work Report delivered by Premier Li Keqiang on Monday set development targets for this year including a surveyed urban unemployment rate within 5.5 percent and a registered urban jobless rate within 4.5 percent. It is the first time that the Government Work Report has included the surveyed urban unemployment rate among the country's annual projected targets.

The work report pointed out that over the past five years more than 66 million new urban jobs have been added and the country has achieved relatively full employment.

China has set a registered urban unemployment rate target since the 1980s. But many people have claimed that it understates the true unemployment rate since it is not based on representative sample surveys, but only counts permanent urban residents who register for unemployment in government sectors.

The surveyed urban unemployment rate will give a more accurate picture of China's actual unemployment rate. Listing it as a projected target represents great progress in the economic sector, since it will enable more accurate macro-economic policymaking.