China has made significant strides in its employment sector in 2024, adding 12.56 million new urban jobs, according to the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security.
At a press conference on Tuesday, Lu Aihong, spokesperson for the ministry, announced that the country's surveyed urban unemployment rate stood at 5.1 percent in 2024, a slight decrease of 0.1 percentage points from the previous year. \"The employment situation remained generally stable,\" Lu stated.
By the end of 2024, over 33.05 million people who had been lifted from poverty were employed, showcasing China's ongoing efforts in poverty alleviation and economic development.
In addition to job creation, China's social security infrastructure has expanded significantly. 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. Social security cards come in both physical and digital forms, with many residents holding both types.
Lu highlighted that the ministry has strengthened the standardized management of vocational competence assessments. Over 12 million individuals obtained vocational skill-level certificates or professional qualification certificates in 2024, contributing to a more skilled workforce.
Looking ahead to 2025, the ministry announced plans to implement a targeted employment support program. This program aims to bolster key sectors, industries, urban and rural grassroots areas, as well as micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises. A mechanism for collecting and releasing information on job positions related to major projects will also be established.
Furthermore, the ministry will accelerate research and formulation of policies to enhance the appeal of the private pension system, encouraging greater participation.
By the end of 2023, a total of 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, these agencies provided services to 300 million workers and 55.99 million employers throughout 2023, with approximately 40 percent of these employers in the manufacturing sector.
Youth employment remains a top priority for the ministry. This year, it plans to introduce a youth job creation program, including measures specifically designed to boost employment for college graduates. Chen Yongjia, another official with the ministry, emphasized that throughout 2025, the ministry will organize a series of activities to promote employment and entrepreneurship among young people.
\"Supporting our young people in finding meaningful employment is crucial for China's future development,\" Chen stated.
Reference(s):
China adds 12.56m new urban jobs in 2024, employment situation stable
cgtn.com