China added 12.56 million new urban jobs in 2024, exceeding its annual target and maintaining a stable employment situation, according to the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security.
"The employment situation remained generally stable," said Lu Aihong, spokesperson for the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security, during a press conference on Tuesday. The surveyed urban unemployment rate stood at 5.1 percent in 2024, a decrease of 0.1 percentage points from the previous year.
By the end of 2024, over 33.05 million people who had been lifted out of poverty were employed, reflecting China's ongoing efforts to promote inclusive growth and reduce inequality.
Social Security Coverage Expands
China's social security card holders reached nearly 1.39 billion by the end of last year, including 1.07 billion digital social security card users, according to Lu. Social security cards are now widely used in both physical and digital forms, with many people holding both types.
Strengthening Vocational Skills
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 the workforce's skills and support the country's economic development.
Future Plans and Initiatives
Looking ahead, the ministry announced that in 2025, a targeted employment support program will be implemented for key sectors, industries, urban-rural grassroots, and micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises. The program will establish a mechanism for collecting and releasing information on job positions related to major projects.
The ministry will also accelerate research and formulation of relevant policies to further enhance the appeal of the private pension system.
Human Resource Services Growing
By the end of 2023, 70,000 human resource service agencies were 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.
Supporting Youth Employment
The ministry announced plans to introduce a youth job creation program this 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 ministry. In 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
