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 ministry announced on Tuesday that the nation’s employment situation remains generally stable, with the surveyed urban unemployment rate standing at 5.1 percent, a decrease of 0.1 percentage points from the previous year.
“The employment situation remained generally stable,” said 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 people who had been lifted from poverty were employed, marking a substantial achievement in China’s poverty alleviation efforts.
In addition, China’s social security system has expanded, with nearly 1.39 billion social security card holders 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 individuals possess both types.
The ministry has also emphasized enhancing vocational skills among the workforce. Lu added that over 12 million individuals obtained vocational skill-level certificates or professional qualification certificates last year, strengthening the country’s skilled labor pool.
Looking ahead to 2025, the ministry plans to implement a targeted employment support program focusing on key sectors, industries, urban-rural grassroots areas, 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 formulate relevant policies to further enhance the appeal of the private pension system, aiming to provide better retirement security for the population.
By the end of 2023, there were 70,000 human resource service agencies 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.
To address youth employment, particularly for college graduates, the ministry announced plans to introduce a youth job creation program this year. “Youth employment remains a top priority for the ministry,” 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
