China created 12.56 million new urban jobs in 2024, the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security announced on Tuesday. This achievement signals a stable employment situation across the country.
According to the ministry, the surveyed urban unemployment rate stood at 5.1 percent in 2024, a decrease of 0.1 percentage points from the previous year. \"The employment situation remained generally stable,\" said Lu Aihong, spokesperson for the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security at a press conference.
Lu highlighted that by the end of 2024, over 33.05 million people who had been lifted from poverty were employed. This reflects China's ongoing efforts to bolster employment among vulnerable populations.
China's social security cardholders reached nearly 1.39 billion by the end of last year, including 1.07 billion digital social security card users. Social security cards are divided into physical and digital versions, with many people holding both.
The ministry has also strengthened the standardized management of vocational competence assessments. Over 12 million individuals obtained vocational skill-level certificates or professional qualification certificates last year, indicating a significant investment in workforce development.
Looking ahead, the ministry announced that in 2025, it will implement a targeted employment support program for key sectors, industries, urban-rural grassroots, and micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises. This includes establishing a mechanism for collecting and releasing information on job positions related to major projects.
The ministry will also accelerate research and formulation of policies to enhance the appeal of the private pension system, aiming to secure financial stability for the aging population.
By the end of 2023, 70,000 human resource service agencies were operating nationwide, 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,\" said Zhang Wenmiao, an official with the ministry.
Youth employment remains a top priority. The ministry announced plans to introduce a youth job creation program this year, 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, an official with the ministry.
Reference(s):
China adds 12.56m new urban jobs in 2024, employment situation stable
cgtn.com
