In a strong indicator of economic resilience, China added 12.56 million new urban jobs in 2024, maintaining a stable employment situation across the nation, according to the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security.
The surveyed urban unemployment rate stood at 5.1 percent in 2024, a slight decrease of 0.1 percentage points from the previous year, spokesperson Lu Aihong announced at a press conference on Tuesday.
\\"The employment situation remained generally stable,\\" Lu said, highlighting the government\'s ongoing efforts to bolster job creation and support economic growth.
By the end of 2024, over 33.05 million individuals who had been lifted from poverty secured employment, reflecting China\'s commitment to sustainable development and poverty alleviation.
Additionally, the number of social security card holders reached nearly 1.39 billion by the end of last year, including 1.07 billion digital social security card users. Social security cards, available in both physical and digital forms, are integral to accessing public services, and many residents possess both types.
The ministry has strengthened the standardized management of vocational competence assessments, with over 12 million individuals obtaining vocational skill-level certificates or professional qualification certificates last year, Lu added.
Looking ahead to 2025, China plans to implement a targeted employment support program for key sectors, industries, urban-rural grassroots, and micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises. This initiative aims to establish a mechanism for collecting and releasing information on job positions related to major projects, enhancing employment opportunities nationwide.
The ministry will also expedite the development of policies and measures to further enhance the appeal of the private pension system, emphasizing the importance of retirement security in the face of an aging population.
According to ministry official Zhang Wenmiao, by the end of 2023, approximately 70,000 human resource service agencies were operating across the country, employing 1.06 million people. Throughout 2023, these agencies provided services to 300 million workers and 55.99 million employers, with about 40 percent of these employers in the manufacturing sector.
To address youth employment, particularly for college graduates, the ministry announced plans to introduce a youth job creation program this year. \\"Youth employment remains a top priority for us,\\" said ministry official Chen Yongjia, noting that throughout 2025, a series of activities will be organized to promote employment and entrepreneurship among young people.
These comprehensive efforts underscore China\'s dedication to fostering a robust labor market and supporting its workforce amid evolving economic challenges.
Reference(s):
China adds 12.56m new urban jobs in 2024, employment situation stable
cgtn.com
