China has achieved significant progress in urban employment in 2024, creating 12.56 million new jobs, according to the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security. The announcement was made on Tuesday at a press conference where spokesperson Lu Aihong highlighted the stability of the employment situation across the country.
\\"The employment situation remained generally stable,\\" said Lu, emphasizing the positive trend in job creation. The surveyed urban unemployment rate in 2024 stood at 5.1 percent, a decrease of 0.1 percentage points from the previous year. This decline indicates a steady improvement in the labor market conditions.
By the end of 2024, more than 33.05 million people who had been lifted from poverty were employed, showcasing China's ongoing efforts to eradicate poverty and promote inclusive growth.
The expansion of social security coverage was also a significant achievement in the past year. Nearly 1.39 billion people held social security cards by the end of last year, including 1.07 billion digital social security card users. Social security cards, which are divided into physical and digital forms, play a crucial role in providing citizens with access to various social services. Many individuals possess both types of cards, enhancing the convenience and accessibility of social welfare programs.
Lu also noted that over 12 million individuals obtained vocational skill-level certificates or professional qualification certificates in 2024, reflecting the ministry's commitment to strengthening the standardized management of vocational competence assessments. This initiative aims to elevate the workforce's skills and meet the demands of a modernizing economy.
Looking ahead, the ministry announced plans for 2025, including the implementation of 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 employment opportunities for job seekers.
Efforts to enhance the appeal of the private pension system are also underway. The ministry will accelerate research and formulate relevant policies and measures to encourage greater participation in private pension schemes, contributing to the long-term financial security of the population.
In addition, the ministry reported that by the end of 2023, there were 70,000 human resource service agencies operating nationwide, employing 1.06 million people. These agencies provided services to 300 million workers and 55.99 million employers throughout 2023, with approximately 40 percent of these employers in the manufacturing sector, as stated by ministry official Zhang Wenmiao.
Youth employment remains a top priority, particularly for college graduates. The ministry plans to introduce a youth job creation program this year, including measures to boost employment for new graduates. \\"Throughout 2025, we will organize a series of activities to promote employment and entrepreneurship among young people,\\" said ministry official Chen Yongjia.
These initiatives underscore China's commitment to fostering a robust and inclusive labor market, supporting economic growth, and improving the livelihoods of its citizens.
Reference(s):
China adds 12.56m new urban jobs in 2024, employment situation stable
cgtn.com
