China continued to solidify its economic recovery in 2024 by creating 12.56 million new urban jobs, according to the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security. The announcement was made on Tuesday during a press conference where the ministry highlighted the country's steady employment landscape.
\\"The employment situation remained generally stable,\\" said Lu Aihong, spokesperson for the ministry. The surveyed urban unemployment rate stood at 5.1 percent, a decrease of 0.1 percentage points from the previous year, signaling a positive trend in the nation's labor market.
Efforts to alleviate poverty have also shown significant progress. By the end of 2024, over 33.05 million people who had been lifted from poverty secured employment, providing a strong foundation for sustained economic growth and social stability.
China's push towards digitalization was evident as 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, both physical and digital, play a crucial role in accessing various government services, and many residents possess both types.
The ministry has taken steps to enhance vocational skills across the workforce. Over 12 million individuals obtained vocational skill-level certificates or professional qualification certificates last year, following strengthened management of vocational competence assessments.
Looking ahead to 2025, the ministry announced plans to implement a targeted employment support program aimed at key sectors, industries, urban-rural grassroots, and micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs). This initiative will establish a mechanism for collecting and releasing information on job positions related to major projects, fostering better alignment between employers and job seekers.
In an effort to bolster the private pension system, the ministry will accelerate research and develop policies to enhance its appeal, providing more security for the aging population and encouraging personal savings for retirement.
Highlighting the role of human resource services, the ministry reported that by the end of 2023, some 70,000 human resource service agencies were operating nationwide, employing 1.06 million people. Throughout 2023, these agencies served 300 million workers and 55.99 million employers, with approximately 40 percent of the employers in the manufacturing sector.
Youth employment remains a top priority. The ministry revealed plans to introduce a youth job creation program this year, including measures to boost employment for college graduates. \\"We will organize a series of activities throughout 2025 to promote employment and entrepreneurship among young people,\\" said Chen Yongjia, an official with the ministry.
The ministry's multifaceted approach aims to sustain economic growth, reduce unemployment, and provide opportunities across various demographics, reinforcing China's commitment to building a resilient and inclusive economy.
Reference(s):
China adds 12.56m new urban jobs in 2024, employment situation stable
cgtn.com
