China has made significant strides in its employment sector, creating 12.56 million new urban jobs in 2024, the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security announced on Tuesday. This achievement underscores the country's steady economic recovery and its commitment to stabilizing the job market.
According to the ministry, China's surveyed urban unemployment rate stood at 5.1 percent in 2024, marking a 0.1 percentage point decrease from the previous year. \"The employment situation remained generally stable,\" said Lu Aihong, spokesperson for the ministry, during a press conference.
Notably, by the end of 2024, over 33.05 million people who had been lifted from poverty secured employment, reflecting China's efforts in promoting inclusive growth and reducing income disparities.
The reach of social security has also expanded, with nearly 1.39 billion social security card holders by the end of last year, including 1.07 billion digital card users. Social security cards, available in both physical and digital forms, play a crucial role in providing social welfare benefits to citizens.
In line with enhancing workforce skills, the ministry has strengthened the standardized management of vocational competence assessments. Over 12 million individuals obtained vocational skill-level certificates or professional qualification certificates last year, boosting the country's skilled labor force.
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. This includes establishing a mechanism for collecting and releasing job information related to major projects.
The ministry also aims to accelerate research and formulate policies to further enhance the private pension system's appeal, ensuring long-term financial security for its aging population.
By the end of 2023, 70,000 human resource service agencies were operating across China, employing 1.06 million people. These agencies provided services to 300 million workers and 55.99 million employers throughout 2023, with approximately 40 percent of employers in the manufacturing sector, according to official Zhang Wenmiao.
Youth employment remains a top priority. The ministry plans to introduce a youth job creation program in 2025, 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 ministry official Chen Yongjia.
Reference(s):
China adds 12.56m new urban jobs in 2024, employment situation stable
cgtn.com
