China achieved a significant milestone in 2024 by adding 12.56 million new urban jobs, according to the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security. This remarkable growth underscores the country's commitment to economic development and social stability.
\"The employment situation remained generally stable,\" stated Lu Aihong, spokesperson for the ministry, during a press conference on Tuesday. The surveyed urban unemployment rate stood at 5.1 percent, a slight decrease of 0.1 percentage points from the previous year.
One of the most noteworthy achievements is the employment of over 33.05 million people who had been lifted from poverty. By the end of 2024, these individuals found opportunities that contributed to their livelihoods and the nation's economic fabric.
China’s social security infrastructure also saw substantial advancements. Nearly 1.39 billion people held social security cards by the end of last year, with 1.07 billion utilizing digital social security cards. This digital transformation reflects China's efforts towards modernization and accessibility. Social security cards are available in both physical and digital forms, and many citizens hold both types.
The ministry emphasized the importance of vocational skills in bolstering the workforce. Over 12 million individuals obtained vocational skill-level certificates or professional qualification certificates last year. Lu highlighted the strengthened management of vocational competence assessment as a key factor in this progress.
Looking ahead to 2025, the ministry announced plans to implement 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 robust mechanism for collecting and releasing information on job positions related to major projects.
Efforts will also be made to enhance the private pension system's appeal by accelerating research and formulating relevant policies and measures. This move is expected to provide additional security and incentives for the workforce.
Human resource services have expanded significantly across the country. By the end of 2023, there were 70,000 human resource service agencies employing 1.06 million people. According to Zhang Wenmiao, an official with the ministry, these agencies served 300 million workers and 55.99 million employers throughout 2023, with approximately 40 percent of employers in the manufacturing sector.
The ministry is placing a strong emphasis on youth employment, particularly for college graduates. Chen Yongjia, an official with the ministry, stated that a youth job creation program would be introduced this year, including measures to boost employment for college graduates. \"Youth employment remains a top priority for the ministry,\" Chen emphasized, adding that throughout 2025, a series of activities will be organized to promote employment and entrepreneurship among young people.
Reference(s):
China adds 12.56m new urban jobs in 2024, employment situation stable
cgtn.com
