China's Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security announced on Tuesday that the country added 12.56 million new urban jobs in 2024, marking a stable employment situation throughout the year.
\"The employment situation remained generally stable,\" said Lu Aihong, spokesperson for the ministry, at a press conference.
In 2024, the surveyed urban unemployment rate stood at 5.1 percent, a decrease of 0.1 percentage points from the previous year, according to the ministry.
By the end of 2024, over 33.05 million people who had been lifted from poverty were employed, highlighting China's ongoing efforts to improve livelihoods.
Furthermore, nearly 1.39 billion people held social security cards by the end of last year, including 1.07 billion digital social security card users, Lu noted.
Social security cards are divided into physical and digital cards, with many individuals possessing both types.
Lu added that the ministry has strengthened the standardized management of vocational competence assessment. Over 12 million individuals obtained vocational skill-level certificates or professional qualification certificates last year.
Looking ahead, the ministry announced that in 2025, a targeted employment support program will be implemented for key sectors, industries, urban-rural grassroots areas, as well as micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises. This program 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 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, 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 for the ministry,\" said Chen Yongjia, an official with the ministry. \"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
