China created 12.56 million new urban jobs in 2024, reflecting a stable employment situation across the country, according to the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security.
The surveyed urban unemployment rate stood at 5.1 percent last year, a slight decrease of 0.1 percentage points compared to the previous year. \"The employment situation remained generally stable,\" said Lu Aihong, spokesperson for the ministry, during a press conference.
By the end of 2024, over 33.05 million people who had been lifted from poverty secured employment, showcasing China's continued efforts in poverty alleviation and job creation.
China's social security system also saw significant growth, with nearly 1.39 billion social security card holders by the end of last year, including 1.07 billion digital social security card users. Social security cards are divided into physical and digital formats, and many individuals 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. This initiative aims to enhance workforce quality and meet the evolving 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 aims to establish a mechanism for collecting and releasing information on job positions related to major projects.
The ministry will also accelerate research and formulate relevant policies to further enhance the private pension system's appeal, ensuring a more robust social security network for the aging population.
By the end of 2023, China had 70,000 human resource service agencies operating nationwide, employing 1.06 million people. These agencies provided services to 300 million workers and 55.99 million employers, with approximately 40 percent of these employers in the manufacturing sector, according to Zhang Wenmiao, an official with the ministry.
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. \"We will organize a series of activities to promote employment and entrepreneurship among young people,\" said Chen Yongjia, an official with the ministry.
