China has achieved a significant milestone by creating 12.56 million new urban jobs in 2024, according to the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security. The announcement was made on Tuesday, highlighting the country's efforts to maintain a stable employment landscape.
In 2024, China’s 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,\" said Lu Aihong, spokesperson for the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security, during a press conference.
Remarkably, by the end of 2024, over 33.05 million individuals who had been lifted from poverty secured employment. This achievement underscores the country’s commitment to eradicating poverty and enhancing the livelihoods of its citizens.
The reach of social security has also expanded, with nearly 1.39 billion social security card holders by the end of last year, including 1.07 billion digital social security card users. Social security cards are divided into physical and digital types, with many individuals holding both.
Lu added that the ministry has strengthened the standardized management of vocational competence assessments. Over 12 million people obtained vocational skill-level certificates or professional qualification certificates last year, boosting the skilled workforce in various industries.
Looking ahead, the ministry announced a targeted employment support program for 2025. This program aims to support key sectors, industries, urban-rural grassroots, and micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises. It will establish a mechanism for collecting and releasing information on job positions related to major projects, ensuring better alignment between job seekers and employment opportunities.
The ministry will also accelerate research and formulate relevant policies to enhance the appeal of the private pension system further, catering to the aging population's needs.
By the end of 2023, there were 70,000 human resource service agencies operating across the country, employing 1.06 million people, according to Zhang Wenmiao, an official with the ministry. 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.
To address youth employment, the ministry announced plans to introduce a youth job creation program in the coming year. This includes measures specifically designed 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. Throughout 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
