BEIJING — China created 12.56 million new urban jobs in 2024, marking a significant achievement in the nation's employment sector, the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security announced on Tuesday.
According to the ministry, China's 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, during a press conference.
By the end of 2024, over 33.05 million people who had been lifted from poverty secured employment, highlighting China'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 are available in both physical and digital formats, with many individuals holding both types.
Lu added that 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.
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 information on job positions related to major projects.
The ministry will also accelerate research and formulation of relevant policies and measures to further enhance the private pension system's appeal.
By the end of 2023, 70,000 human resource service agencies were operating across the country, employing 1.06 million people. Zhang Wenmiao, an official with the ministry, noted that 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 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
