Li to let world in on jobs barometer

Economists think jobless rate could become valuable economic gauge

Premier Li Keqiang has an insider's knowledge on the strength of the world's second-largest economy that helps him determine when stimulus is needed. He is about to share part of the secret.

Li has said several times this year that slower growth is tolerable as long as enough jobs are created, often referring to a survey-based unemployment indicator that is different from the registered urban jobless rate released every quarter. The published gauge excludes migrant workers who are not registered with local authorities.