Labour markets have proven robust even in the midst of the weak global environment, and unemployment remains at low levels. The jobless rate in Japan stood at 4.3% at the end of 2012, whereas it was 2.9% in the Republic of Korea, in each case lower than it had been in 2011. In both countries, however, there are concerns that the quality of new jobs being created is declining, especially insofar as many new contracts are short-term and in the service sector. The urban unemployment rate in China was at 4.1% in the second quarter of 2012, although the quality of labour market statistics is not fully comparable with those of other major countries.