China has successfully added 12.56 million new urban jobs in 2024, demonstrating a stable employment landscape, the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security announced on Tuesday.
The surveyed urban unemployment rate stood at 5.1 percent, marking a 0.1 percentage point decrease from the previous year. \"The employment situation remained generally stable,\" stated Lu Aihong, spokesperson for the ministry, during a press conference.
By the end of 2024, over 33.05 million individuals who had been lifted from poverty secured employment, highlighting the government'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 physical and digital forms, with many citizens holding both types.
In an effort to enhance vocational skills, the ministry strengthened the standardized management of vocational competence assessments, resulting in 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 focusing on key sectors, industries, urban-rural grassroots, and micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises. This initiative includes establishing a mechanism for collecting and releasing information on job positions related to major projects.
The ministry also aims to accelerate research and formulate policies to further enhance the appeal of the private pension system.
By the end of 2023, 70,000 human resource service agencies were operating across the country, employing 1.06 million people. These agencies provided services to 300 million workers and 55.99 million employers throughout 2023, with approximately 40 percent of the employers in the manufacturing sector, according to ministry official Zhang Wenmiao.
The ministry highlighted that it will 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,\" said ministry official Chen Yongjia. \"Throughout 2025, we will organize a series of activities to promote employment and entrepreneurship among young people,\" he added.
Reference(s):
China adds 12.56m new urban jobs in 2024, employment situation stable
cgtn.com
