China Adds 12.56 Million New Urban Jobs in 2024, Employment Remains Stable
China created 12.56 million new urban jobs in 2024, according to the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security. The ministry announced on Tuesday that the country's employment situation remained generally stable, with the surveyed urban unemployment rate standing at 5.1 percent, a slight decrease of 0.1 percentage points from the previous year.
\"The employment situation remained generally stable,\" said Lu Aihong, spokesperson for the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security, at a press conference. \"By the end of 2024, over 33.05 million people who had been lifted from poverty were employed.\"
Expanding Social Security Coverage
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 noted. Social security cards are divided into physical and digital types, and many individuals hold both.
Boosting Vocational Skills
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. This move aims to enhance the workforce's skill set to meet the demands of a rapidly evolving economy.
Plans for 2025 and Beyond
Looking ahead, the ministry announced that in 2025, a targeted employment support program will be implemented for 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 will also accelerate the research and formulation of relevant policies to further enhance the private pension system's appeal, aiming to provide better retirement options for the population.
Human Resource Services Expansion
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
The ministry announced plans to 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.
\"Throughout 2025, we will organize a series of activities to promote employment and entrepreneurship among young people,\" said Chen Yongjia, an official with the ministry.
Reference(s):
China adds 12.56m new urban jobs in 2024, employment situation stable
cgtn.com
