China has reported the creation of 12.56 million new urban jobs in 2024, reflecting a stable employment situation across the country, according to the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security.
'The employment situation remained generally stable,' said Lu Aihong, spokesperson for the Ministry, at a press conference on Tuesday. The surveyed urban unemployment rate stood at 5.1 percent in 2024, a slight decrease of 0.1 percentage points from the previous year.
By the end of 2024, over 33.05 million people who had been lifted from poverty secured employment, showcasing China's ongoing efforts to enhance livelihoods and reduce poverty.
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, Lu said. Social security cards are divided into physical and digital types, with many individuals holding both.
Lu added 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.
The Ministry announced plans for 2025, including the implementation of a targeted employment support program for key sectors, industries, urban-rural grassroots, and 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 research and formulation of relevant policies to 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.
Youth employment, particularly for college graduates, remains a top priority for the Ministry. Chen Yongjia, an official with the Ministry, stated that in 2025, the Ministry will organize a series of activities to promote employment and entrepreneurship among young people. This year, the Ministry will introduce a youth job creation program, including measures to boost employment for college graduates.
These initiatives underscore China's commitment to maintaining a stable employment landscape and fostering opportunities for all citizens, particularly the youth and those recently lifted from poverty.
Reference(s):
China adds 12.56m new urban jobs in 2024, employment situation stable
cgtn.com
