China's Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security announced on Tuesday that the nation created 12.56 million new urban jobs in 2024, indicating a stable employment situation. The surveyed urban unemployment rate stood at 5.1 percent, a decrease of 0.1 percentage points from the previous year.
\"The employment situation remained generally stable,\" stated Lu Aihong, spokesperson for the Ministry, during a press conference. By the end of 2024, over 33.05 million people who had been lifted from poverty were employed, showcasing the country's efforts in poverty alleviation and job creation.
Social security coverage also saw significant growth. 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. Lu highlighted that social security cards are divided into physical and digital forms, with many citizens holding both types.
The Ministry has strengthened the standardized management of vocational competence assessments. Over 12 million individuals obtained vocational skill-level certificates or professional qualification certificates last year, emphasizing the government's commitment to enhancing the workforce's skills.
Looking Ahead to 2025
In 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 initiative aims to establish a mechanism for collecting and releasing information on job positions related to major projects.
The Ministry will also accelerate the research and formulation of policies to further enhance the private pension system's appeal, aiming to provide better security for the aging population.
Growth in Human Resource Services
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.
Youth Employment a Top Priority
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. Ministry official Chen Yongjia stated that throughout 2025, the Ministry will organize a series of activities to promote employment and entrepreneurship among young people.
These initiatives reflect China's commitment to maintaining a stable employment environment and supporting economic growth through job creation and workforce development.
Reference(s):
China adds 12.56m new urban jobs in 2024, employment situation stable
cgtn.com
