China Adds 12.56 Million New Urban Jobs in 2024, Employment Situation Stable
China created 12.56 million new urban jobs in 2024, the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security announced on Tuesday. This achievement reflects a generally stable employment situation, with the surveyed urban unemployment rate standing at 5.1 percent, 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, during a press conference.
By the end of 2024, over 33.05 million individuals who had been lifted from poverty secured employment, marking a significant stride in China's poverty alleviation efforts.
Additionally, the number of social security card holders reached nearly 1.39 billion by the end of last year, including 1.07 billion digital social security card users. Social security cards in China are issued in both physical and digital forms, with many residents holding both types.
Lu highlighted the ministry's efforts in vocational competence development, noting that over 12 million people obtained vocational skill-level certificates or professional qualification certificates last year. This initiative aims to enhance the professional skills of the workforce, contributing to the country's economic growth.
Looking ahead to 2025, the ministry plans to implement a targeted employment support program focusing on key sectors, industries, urban-rural grassroots, and micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises. This program will establish a mechanism for collecting and releasing information on job positions related to major projects, facilitating better job matching and employment opportunities.
The ministry also intends to accelerate research and formulate policies to enhance the appeal of the private pension system, aiming to provide better retirement security for citizens.
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,\" said Zhang Wenmiao, an official from the ministry.
The ministry announced plans to introduce a youth job creation program in 2025, which includes measures to boost employment for college graduates. Youth employment, particularly for college graduates, remains a top priority. \"Throughout 2025, the ministry will organize a series of activities to promote employment and entrepreneurship among young people,\" said Chen Yongjia, another official with the ministry.
Reference(s):
China adds 12.56m new urban jobs in 2024, employment situation stable
cgtn.com
