In an impressive display of economic resilience, China has announced the creation of 12.56 million new urban jobs in 2024, according to the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security. The announcement, made on Tuesday, highlights the country's ongoing efforts to stabilize and expand its labor market amidst global economic challenges.
Despite facing numerous hurdles, China's surveyed urban unemployment rate stood at 5.1 percent in 2024, marking a 0.1 percentage point decrease from the previous year. \"The employment situation remained generally stable,\" stated Lu Aihong, spokesperson for the ministry, during a press conference.
One of the significant achievements noted was the employment of over 33.05 million people who had been lifted from poverty by the end of 2024. This milestone underscores China's commitment to not only alleviate poverty but also provide sustainable employment opportunities for its populace.
The reach of China's social security system has also expanded, with nearly 1.39 billion social security card holders by the end of last year, including 1.07 billion digital card users. The dual existence of physical and digital cards caters to the diverse needs of the population, with many individuals opting to hold both types.
The ministry has placed a strong emphasis on vocational training, with over 12 million individuals obtaining vocational skill-level certificates or professional qualification certificates last year. \"We have strengthened the standardized management of vocational competence assessment,\" Lu added, highlighting the government's dedication to enhancing workforce skills.
Looking ahead, the ministry announced plans for 2025 that include a targeted employment support program focusing on 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, thereby facilitating better employment matches.
Efforts to boost the private pension system's appeal are also underway, with the ministry accelerating research and formulating relevant policies and measures. These steps are intended to enhance the social security net and provide greater financial stability for the aging population.
By the end of 2023, the country saw 70,000 human resource service agencies in operation, 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,\" reported Zhang Wenmiao, an official with the ministry.
Youth employment remains a top priority. The ministry announced plans to introduce a youth job creation program this year, including measures to boost employment for college graduates. \"Throughout 2025, we will organize a series of activities to promote employment and entrepreneurship among young people,\" said Chen Yongjia, another ministry official, emphasizing the government's commitment to nurturing the next generation of workers.
Reference(s):
China adds 12.56m new urban jobs in 2024, employment situation stable
cgtn.com
