BEIJING—China announced the creation of 12.56 million new urban jobs in 2024, reflecting a stable employment landscape across the country, according to the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security.
At a press conference on Tuesday, Lu Aihong, spokesperson for the ministry, revealed 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.
By the end of 2024, over 33.05 million individuals who had been lifted from poverty secured employment, showcasing China's efforts in poverty alleviation and job creation.
The ministry highlighted the widespread adoption of social security cards, with nearly 1.39 billion holders nationwide, including 1.07 billion digital card users. Social security cards, available in both physical and digital forms, are essential for accessing various government services.
Emphasizing the importance of skilled labor, Lu added that more than 12 million people obtained vocational skill-level certificates or professional qualification certificates last year. \"We have strengthened the standardized management of vocational competence assessment,\" he noted.
Looking ahead to 2025, the ministry plans to 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.
Efforts will also be made to enhance the private pension system's appeal. \"We will accelerate the research and formulation of relevant policies and measures,\" Lu said.
Zhang Wenmiao, an official with the ministry, reported that by the end of 2023, there were 70,000 human resource service agencies 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.
Recognizing youth employment as a top priority, the ministry announced plans to introduce a youth job creation program in 2025. Chen Yongjia, another official with the ministry, said, \"We will organize a series of activities to promote employment and entrepreneurship among young people throughout 2025.\" This initiative includes measures specifically designed to boost employment for college graduates.
