China added 12.56 million new urban jobs in 2024, maintaining a stable employment situation across the country, according to the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security.
The surveyed urban unemployment rate stood at 5.1 percent in 2024, a slight decrease of 0.1 percentage points from the previous year, the ministry reported on Tuesday.
\"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, over 33.05 million people who had been lifted from poverty were employed, highlighting China's continued efforts in poverty alleviation and job creation, Lu added.
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, according to the spokesperson. Social security cards are divided into physical and digital cards, with many people holding both types.
Lu noted 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 plans to implement a targeted employment support program for 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 formulation of policies to enhance the appeal of the private pension system, aiming to provide better retirement security for the population.
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 this year it will 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 ministry official Chen Yongjia. \"Throughout 2025, we will organize a series of activities to promote employment and entrepreneurship among young people.\"
China's commitment to job creation and employment stability continues to be a focal point of its economic policies, aiming to foster sustainable growth and improve livelihoods across the nation.
Reference(s):
China adds 12.56m new urban jobs in 2024, employment situation stable
cgtn.com
