China achieved significant progress in its employment sector in 2024, adding 12.56 million new urban jobs, according to the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security. The surveyed urban unemployment rate decreased to 5.1 percent, a 0.1 percentage point drop from the previous year, illustrating a generally stable employment situation.
\"The employment situation remained generally stable,\" stated Lu Aihong, spokesperson for the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security, at a press conference on Tuesday. He highlighted that by the end of 2024, over 33.05 million people who had been lifted from poverty secured employment, marking a substantial achievement in the nation's poverty alleviation efforts.
Social security in China also witnessed considerable 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 types, with many individuals possessing both versions.
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, enhancing the skilled workforce nationwide.
Looking ahead, the Ministry announced plans to implement a targeted employment support program in 2025. This 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, thereby facilitating better employment opportunities.
Efforts are also underway to enhance the appeal of the private pension system. The Ministry will accelerate research and formulation of relevant policies and measures to further strengthen this system.
By the end of 2023, there were 70,000 human resource service agencies operating across the country, employing 1.06 million people, according to Ministry official Zhang Wenmiao. 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.
Youth employment remains a top priority for the Ministry. This year, it plans to introduce a youth job creation program, 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
