China created 12.56 million new urban jobs in 2024, according to the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security, signaling a stable employment situation across the country.
The surveyed urban unemployment rate stood at 5.1 percent in 2024, a slight decrease of 0.1 percentage points from the previous year, the ministry reported during a press conference on Tuesday.
\"The employment situation remained generally stable,\" said Lu Aihong, spokesperson for the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security.
By the end of 2024, over 33.05 million people who had been lifted from poverty were employed, Lu added.
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, according to the ministry.
Social security cards in China are divided into physical and digital types, and many individuals hold both.
Lu highlighted 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.
Looking ahead to 2025, the ministry announced a targeted employment support program focusing on key sectors, industries, urban-rural grassroots, and micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises. The initiative 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 relevant policies and measures 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 Zhang Wenmiao, an official with the ministry. 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.
This year, the ministry plans to 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
