China achieved a significant milestone 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, highlighting the nation's efforts in stabilizing employment amidst global economic uncertainties.
The surveyed urban unemployment rate stood at 5.1 percent in 2024, a decrease of 0.1 percentage points compared to the previous year, the ministry reported. \"The employment situation remained generally stable,\" said Lu Aihong, spokesperson for the ministry, during a press conference.
By the end of 2024, over 33.05 million people who had been lifted from poverty were employed, showcasing China's ongoing commitment to poverty alleviation and inclusive growth.
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 Lu. Social security cards in China are available in both physical and digital formats, with many residents holding both types.
In addition, the ministry strengthened the standardized management of vocational competence assessments in 2024. Over 12 million individuals obtained vocational skill-level certificates or professional qualification certificates last year, enhancing the skilled workforce across various industries.
Looking ahead, 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 initiative aims to establish a mechanism for collecting and releasing information on job positions related to major projects.
The ministry also intends to accelerate research and formulation of policies to enhance the appeal of the private pension system, addressing the needs of an aging population.
According to ministry official Zhang Wenmiao, by the end of 2023, there were 70,000 human resource service agencies operating nationwide, employing 1.06 million people. 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.
Emphasizing youth employment, the ministry stated it would 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 for the ministry,\" said official Chen Yongjia. \"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
