China has achieved significant progress in its employment sector, adding 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 stable employment situation.
In 2024, the surveyed urban unemployment rate stood at 5.1 percent, a slight decrease of 0.1 percentage points from the previous year, the ministry reported. “The employment situation remained generally stable,” stated Lu Aihong, spokesperson for the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security, during a press conference.
By the end of 2024, more than 33.05 million individuals who had been lifted out of poverty secured employment opportunities, Lu added. This reflects China’s ongoing efforts to improve living standards and reduce poverty through job creation.
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. “Social security cards are divided into physical and digital cards, and many people hold both types,” the spokesperson explained, emphasizing the widespread adoption of digital services.
The ministry has also reinforced the standardized management of vocational competence assessments. Over 12 million individuals obtained vocational skill-level certificates or professional qualification certificates last year, indicating a focus on enhancing the skilled workforce.
Looking ahead, the ministry announced that in 2025, a targeted employment support program will be implemented. The program aims to support key sectors, industries, urban-rural grassroots, as well as micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises. It will establish a mechanism for collecting and releasing information on job positions related to major projects.
Efforts to enhance the private pension system are also underway. The ministry will accelerate research and formulate relevant policies and measures to increase the system’s appeal to the public.
According to Zhang Wenmiao, an official with the ministry, by the end of 2023, 70,000 human resource service agencies were operating nationwide, employing 1.06 million people. 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 for the ministry,” said Chen Yongjia, an official with the ministry. “Throughout 2025, we 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
