China has made significant strides in bolstering its urban employment sector, adding 12.56 million new urban jobs in 2024, according to the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security.
At a press conference on Tuesday, Lu Aihong, spokesperson for the Ministry, stated that the country's surveyed urban unemployment rate stood at 5.1 percent in 2024, a decrease of 0.1 percentage points from the previous year. \"The employment situation remained generally stable,\" Lu affirmed.
Employment opportunities have notably expanded for individuals previously lifted from poverty, with over 33.05 million people in this demographic finding employment by the end of 2024.
The digital transformation of social security is also progressing, with nearly 1.39 billion social security card holders nationwide by the end of last year, including 1.07 billion digital social security card users. Social security cards are divided into physical and digital forms, and many individuals hold both types.
In an effort to enhance workforce skills, over 12 million people obtained vocational skill-level certificates or professional qualification certificates last year, as the Ministry strengthened the standardized management of vocational competence assessment.
Looking ahead to 2025, the Ministry announced plans to implement a targeted employment support program focusing on key sectors, industries, urban and rural grassroots areas, 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.
The Ministry will also expedite research and formulate policies to enhance the appeal of the private pension system, aiming to further support the country's aging population.
By the end of 2023, 70,000 human resource service agencies were 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 the employers in the manufacturing sector.
Youth employment, particularly among college graduates, remains a top priority. The Ministry plans to introduce a youth job creation program in 2025, including measures to boost employment and entrepreneurship among young people. \"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
