China has achieved a significant milestone in 2024 by creating 12.56 million new urban jobs, according to the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security (MHRSS). This achievement underscores the nation's ongoing commitment to maintaining a stable employment landscape amid global economic challenges.
Lu Aihong, spokesperson for the MHRSS, announced at a press conference that the surveyed urban unemployment rate stood at 5.1 percent in 2024, a slight decrease of 0.1 percentage points from the previous year. \"The employment situation remained generally stable,\" Lu stated, highlighting the effectiveness of China's employment policies.
Notably, over 33.05 million people who had been lifted from poverty secured employment by the end of 2024. This development reflects China's efforts to alleviate poverty through job creation and indicates progress toward achieving broader socioeconomic goals.
The MHRSS also reported a surge in social security card holders, reaching nearly 1.39 billion by the end of last year. This figure includes 1.07 billion digital social security card users, signifying a widespread adoption of digital services. Social security cards in China are issued in both physical and digital formats, with many citizens holding both types.
In terms of vocational development, Lu noted that the ministry has strengthened the management of vocational competence assessments. Over 12 million individuals obtained vocational skill-level certificates or professional qualification certificates in 2024, enhancing the nation's skilled workforce.
Looking ahead, the ministry announced plans to implement a targeted employment support program in 2025. The program will focus on key sectors, industries, urban-rural grassroots, and micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises. It aims to establish a mechanism for collecting and releasing information on job positions related to major projects, further bolstering employment opportunities.
The MHRSS also intends to accelerate the formulation of policies to enhance the appeal of the private pension system, recognizing the importance of private pensions in the overall social security framework.
Zhang Wenmiao, an official with the MHRSS, revealed that by the end of 2023, around 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 approximately 40 percent of these employers in the manufacturing sector.
Addressing youth employment, the ministry plans to introduce a youth job creation program in the coming year, including measures to boost employment for college graduates. \"Youth employment, particularly for college graduates, remains a top priority for the ministry,\" said Chen Yongjia, an official with the MHRSS. Throughout 2025, the ministry will organize a series of activities to promote employment and entrepreneurship among young people.
Reference(s):
China adds 12.56m new urban jobs in 2024, employment situation stable
cgtn.com
