China has continued to strengthen its labor market, adding 12.56 million new urban jobs in 2024, according to the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security. The nation's employment situation remains stable, showcasing resilience amid global economic uncertainties.
At a press conference on Tuesday, Ministry spokesperson Lu Aihong announced that China's surveyed urban unemployment rate stood at 5.1 percent in 2024, a slight decrease of 0.1 percentage points compared to the previous year. \"The employment situation remained generally stable,\" Lu stated, highlighting the country's ongoing efforts to support job creation and economic growth.
Significantly, over 33.05 million people who had been lifted from poverty were employed by the end of 2024, reflecting China's commitment to improving livelihoods and reducing poverty through employment opportunities.
Expanding Social Security Coverage
China's social security network also saw substantial growth. 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 are available in both physical and digital formats, with many residents opting to utilize both types.
The expansion of social security coverage underscores the government's dedication to enhancing social welfare and providing comprehensive support to its citizens.
Advancing Vocational Skills and Employment Support
In a bid to boost workforce competency, the Ministry has strengthened the standardized management of vocational competence assessment. Over 12 million individuals obtained vocational skill-level certificates or professional qualification certificates last year, demonstrating a push towards higher skill levels within the labor force.
Looking ahead to 2025, the Ministry announced the implementation of 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, facilitating better job matching and opportunities.
Enhancing the Private Pension System
The Ministry will accelerate research and formulation of policies to further enhance the private pension system's appeal. Strengthening the pension system is a critical step in ensuring long-term financial security for the aging population and encouraging private savings for retirement.
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 Zhang Wenmiao, a Ministry official. 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
Addressing the critical issue of youth employment, particularly for college graduates, the Ministry announced plans to introduce a youth job creation program in 2025. This program will include measures to boost employment for college graduates and promote entrepreneurship among young people.
\"Youth employment 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
