KUALA LUMPUR - China’s migrant workers recorded rising incomes and better living standards last year, based on a survey released by the National Bureau of Statistics, as reported by Xinhua.

The total number of migrant workers reached 301.15 million in 2025, an increase of 1.42 million or 0.5% from the previous year.

The average monthly income rose to 5,075 yuan (about USD739), marking a 2.3% increase year on year.

Workers employed outside their hometowns earned an average of 5,774 yuan per month, up 2.5%, while those working within their registered areas earned 4,376 yuan, reflecting a 2% increase.

The services or tertiary sector remained the largest employer, accounting for 54.7% of migrant workers.

The share of workers in the industrial or secondary sector declined slightly by 0.2 percentage points to 44.5%.

Living conditions also improved, with average urban living space rising to 24.9 square metres per person, up by 0.2 square metres from 2024.

Migrant workers are defined as rural residents with agricultural registration who work in non-agricultural jobs either locally or outside their hometowns for at least six months a year.