China added 12.56 million new urban jobs in 2024, demonstrating a stable employment situation across the nation, according to the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security on Tuesday.
The surveyed urban unemployment rate stood at 5.1 percent in 2024, a decrease of 0.1 percentage points from the previous year. \"The employment situation remained generally stable,\" said Lu Aihong, spokesperson for the ministry, at a press conference.
By the end of 2024, more than 33.05 million people who had been lifted from poverty were employed, highlighting the country's efforts in poverty alleviation and job creation.
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, divided into physical and digital types, are widely used by residents, with many holding both forms.
The ministry has strengthened the standardized management of vocational competence assessments, with over 12 million individuals obtaining vocational skill-level certificates or professional qualification certificates last year, contributing to the skilled workforce.
Looking ahead to 2025, the ministry announced the implementation of a targeted employment support program for key sectors, industries, urban-rural grassroots, as well as micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises. This includes establishing a mechanism for collecting and releasing job position information related to major projects.
Efforts will also be made to accelerate research and formulation of policies to enhance the appeal of the private pension system.
By the end of 2023, 70,000 human resource service agencies have been 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.
This year, the ministry plans to introduce a youth job creation program, including measures to boost employment for college graduates. \"Youth employment, particularly for college graduates, remains a top priority,\" said ministry official Chen Yongjia. Throughout 2025, the ministry will organize a series of activities to promote employment and entrepreneurship among young people.
