China has achieved significant progress in employment in 2024, adding 12.56 million new urban jobs, according to the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security. The announcement was made during a press conference on Tuesday by spokesperson Lu Aihong.
\"The employment situation remained generally stable,\" Lu stated, highlighting that the surveyed urban unemployment rate stood at 5.1 percent, a decrease of 0.1 percentage points from the previous year.
By the end of 2024, over 33.05 million people who had been lifted from poverty secured employment, marking a substantial stride in the nation's poverty alleviation efforts.
Expansion of Social Security Coverage
China's social security system also saw expansion, with nearly 1.39 billion social security card holders by the end of last year. Of these, 1.07 billion were digital social security card users, indicating a significant shift towards digitization. Many residents hold both physical and digital cards, enhancing accessibility and convenience.
Enhancing Vocational Skills
The ministry has strengthened the standardized management of vocational competence assessments. Over 12 million individuals obtained vocational skill-level certificates or professional qualification certificates last year, contributing to a more skilled workforce.
Upcoming Employment Support Programs
Looking ahead to 2025, the ministry announced the implementation of a targeted employment support program. This initiative will focus on key sectors, industries, urban-rural grassroots, and micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises. A mechanism for collecting and releasing information on job positions related to major projects will be established to facilitate employment opportunities.
Efforts to enhance the appeal of the private pension system are also underway, with accelerated research and formulation of relevant policies and measures planned.
Growth in Human Resource Services
By the end of 2023, there were 70,000 human resource service agencies 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 these employers in the manufacturing sector.
Focus on Youth Employment
The ministry emphasized that youth employment, particularly for college graduates, remains a top priority. This year, a youth job creation program will be introduced, 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, an official with the ministry.
Reference(s):
China adds 12.56m new urban jobs in 2024, employment situation stable
cgtn.com
