China witnessed a significant decline in youth joblessness in September compared to the peak level of the previous month.

Figures released on Tuesday by the National Bureau of Statistics showed that the unemployment rate among 16 to 24 years old fell to 17.6 percent last month from August's peak of 18.8 percent, the highest rate of the year.

The bureau said that the unemployment rate for the 25 to 29 age group was 6.7 percent, down from 6.9 percent in August, while the rate for the 30 to 59 age group remained steady at 3.9 percent.

These figures exclude students, the bureau said.