China's employment landscape remained robust in 2024, with the nation adding 12.56 million new urban jobs, according to the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security. The latest figures highlight the country's continued economic resilience and commitment to job creation amid global challenges.
At a press conference on Tuesday, ministry spokesperson Lu Aihong announced that the surveyed urban unemployment rate stood at 5.1 percent, a slight decrease of 0.1 percentage points from the previous year. \"The employment situation remained generally stable,\" Lu stated, emphasizing the effectiveness of China's employment policies.
By the end of 2024, over 33.05 million individuals who had been lifted from poverty secured employment, showcasing China's significant strides in combating poverty through job opportunities.
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. Social security cards, both physical and digital, play a crucial role in accessing various public services, and many citizens hold both types.
Lu further highlighted the ministry's efforts to enhance vocational competence, with over 12 million individuals obtaining vocational skill-level certificates or professional qualification certificates in the past year. This initiative aims to boost workforce skills and meet the demands of evolving industries.
Looking ahead to 2025, the ministry announced 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 aims to establish a mechanism for collecting and releasing information on job positions related to major projects, facilitating better workforce allocation.
The ministry will also accelerate research and formulate policies to enhance the appeal of the private pension system, aiming to provide more robust retirement options for citizens.
By the end of 2023, China had 70,000 human resource service agencies operating nationwide, 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 the employers in the manufacturing sector.
Youth employment, particularly for college graduates, remains a top priority for the ministry. In 2025, the ministry plans to introduce a youth job creation program to boost employment opportunities for young people. \"We will organize a series of activities to promote employment and entrepreneurship among young people,\" said ministry official Chen Yongjia.
China's commitment to maintaining stable employment and fostering job growth reflects its dedication to economic development and social stability. The upcoming initiatives aim to address key employment challenges and support the workforce in an ever-changing global economy.
Reference(s):
China adds 12.56m new urban jobs in 2024, employment situation stable
cgtn.com
