China created 12.56 million new urban jobs in 2024, maintaining a stable employment situation, the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security announced on Tuesday.
According to the ministry, the surveyed urban unemployment rate in 2024 stood at 5.1 percent, a slight 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 were employed, Lu added, highlighting the government's continued efforts in poverty alleviation and job creation.
The number of social security card holders in China reached nearly 1.39 billion by the end of last year, including 1.07 billion digital social security card users, according to the spokesperson. Social security cards are divided into physical and digital forms, with many citizens holding both types.
Lu also noted that the ministry has strengthened the standardized management of vocational competence assessments. Over 12 million individuals obtained vocational skill-level certificates or professional qualification certificates last year.
Looking ahead to 2025, the ministry announced plans to implement a targeted employment support program for key sectors, industries, urban-rural grassroots, as well as 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.
The ministry will also accelerate the research and formulation of relevant policies and measures to further enhance the appeal of the private pension system, Lu said.
By the end of 2023, 70,000 human resource service agencies were 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.
The ministry stated that it would introduce a youth job creation program this year, including measures to boost employment for college graduates.
\"Youth employment, particularly for college graduates, remains a top priority for us,\" said ministry official Chen Yongjia. \"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
