China has created 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, during 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 were employed, highlighting significant progress in poverty alleviation efforts.
Expansion of Social Security
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, according to Lu. Social security cards are available in both physical and digital formats, with many individuals holding both types.
Enhancing Vocational Skills
The ministry has also strengthened the standardized management of vocational competence assessment. Over 12 million individuals obtained vocational skill-level certificates or professional qualification certificates last year, indicating a robust effort to enhance the skillset of the workforce.
Future Plans for Employment Support
Looking ahead, the ministry announced that in 2025, it will implement a targeted employment support program focusing on key sectors, industries, urban-rural grassroots, as well as micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises. This initiative aims to establish a mechanism for collecting and releasing information on job positions related to major projects.
Additionally, the ministry plans to accelerate the research and formulation of relevant policies and measures to further enhance the appeal of the private pension system.
Growth in Human Resource Services
By the end of 2023, there were 70,000 human resource service agencies 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.
Focus on Youth Employment
Youth employment, particularly for college graduates, remains a top priority for the ministry. \"This year, we will introduce a youth job creation program, including measures to boost employment for college graduates,\" said Chen Yongjia, an official with the ministry. \"Throughout 2025, the ministry 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
