China created 12.56 million new urban jobs in 2024, marking a significant achievement in stabilizing employment across the country, according to the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security (MHRSS) on Tuesday.
The 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 MHRSS, during a press conference.
By the end of 2024, over 33.05 million people who had been lifted from poverty secured employment, underscoring China's ongoing efforts to combat poverty through job creation.
Growth in Social Security and Vocational Skills
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. Social security cards are available in both physical and digital formats, with many individuals holding both types.
Lu also highlighted the ministry's strengthened management of vocational competence assessments, noting that over 12 million individuals obtained vocational skill-level certificates or professional qualification certificates in 2024. This initiative aims to enhance the workforce's skills and competitiveness in various industries.
Employment Support and Future Initiatives
Looking ahead to 2025, the ministry announced 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. The program will establish a mechanism for collecting and releasing information on job positions related to major projects.
The MHRSS will also expedite the development of policies to enhance the appeal of the private pension system, aiming to support the aging population and encourage long-term financial planning among citizens.
Human Resource Services and Youth Employment
By the end of 2023, the country had 70,000 human resource service agencies in operation, 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 emphasized its commitment to youth employment, particularly for college graduates. \"Youth employment remains a top priority,\" said ministry official Chen Yongjia. In 2025, the ministry will organize a series of activities to promote employment and entrepreneurship among young people, including a youth job creation program and measures to boost employment for college graduates.
Reference(s):
China adds 12.56m new urban jobs in 2024, employment situation stable
cgtn.com
