In a significant boost to its labor market, China has announced the creation of 12.56 million new urban jobs in 2024, according to the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security. The achievement marks a continued effort to stabilize employment and support economic growth across the nation.
\\"The employment situation remained generally stable,\\" said Lu Aihong, spokesperson for the ministry, during a press conference on Tuesday. The surveyed urban unemployment rate stood at 5.1 percent in 2024, a slight decrease of 0.1 percentage points compared to the previous year.
One of the notable developments is the employment of over 33.05 million people who had been lifted from poverty by the end of 2024. This milestone reflects China's commitment to poverty alleviation and inclusive growth, providing opportunities for those in need.
The advancement in social security coverage was also highlighted, with nearly 1.39 billion social security card holders by the end of last year, including 1.07 billion digital social security card users. The integration of physical and digital cards underscores the country's push towards modernization and accessibility of social services.
Lu mentioned that over 12 million individuals obtained vocational skill-level certificates or professional qualification certificates in 2024, as the ministry strengthened the standardized management of vocational competence assessment. This initiative aims to enhance the workforce's skills and meet the demands of various industries.
Looking ahead to 2025, the ministry announced plans to implement a targeted employment support program focusing on key sectors, industries, urban-rural grassroots, and micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises. The program will establish a mechanism for collecting and releasing information on job positions related to major projects, facilitating better matching between employers and job seekers.
The ministry also aims to accelerate research and formulate policies to enhance the appeal of the private pension system, encouraging greater participation and ensuring better security for retirees.
By the end of 2023, there were 70,000 human resource service agencies operating nationwide, employing 1.06 million people, according to Zhang Wenmiao, an official with the ministry. These agencies provided services to 300 million workers and 55.99 million employers throughout 2023, with approximately 40 percent of the employers in the manufacturing sector.
The focus on youth employment remains a top priority. The ministry plans to introduce a youth job creation program in 2024, including measures to boost employment for college graduates. \\"Throughout 2025, we will organize a series of activities to promote employment and entrepreneurship among young people,\\" said Chen Yongjia, another official with the ministry.
These initiatives reflect China's ongoing efforts to strengthen its labor market, support economic development, and ensure that growth benefits all segments of society.
Reference(s):
China adds 12.56m new urban jobs in 2024, employment situation stable
cgtn.com
