China's employment landscape remained robust in 2024, with the Chinese mainland creating 12.56 million new urban jobs, according to the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security. The ministry announced on Tuesday that the surveyed urban unemployment rate stood steady at 5.1 percent, a slight decrease of 0.1 percentage points compared to the previous year.
\"The employment situation remained generally stable,\" stated Lu Aihong, spokesperson for the ministry, during a press conference. Lu highlighted the government's commitment to fostering job growth and reducing unemployment across the nation.
By the end of 2024, over 33.05 million people who had been lifted out of poverty secured employment, demonstrating significant progress in China's poverty alleviation efforts. This achievement underscores the effectiveness of targeted employment support programs and vocational training initiatives.
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, available in both physical and digital formats, play a crucial role in providing citizens with access to various social services. Many individuals utilize both types to manage their benefits efficiently.
Lu also noted that over 12 million individuals obtained vocational skill-level certificates or professional qualification certificates in 2024, following the ministry's efforts to strengthen the standardized management of vocational competence assessment. These certifications aim to enhance the workforce's skill set and support the demands of a modernizing economy.
Looking ahead to 2025, the ministry announced plans to implement a targeted employment support program focusing on key sectors, industries, urban-rural grassroots areas, 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, facilitating better matching between employers and job seekers.
Efforts will also be made to accelerate the research and formulation of policies to enhance the appeal of the private pension system, addressing the needs of an aging population and promoting sustainable development.
By the end of 2023, approximately 70,000 human resource service agencies were operating across the country, employing 1.06 million people. According to ministry official Zhang Wenmiao, these agencies provided services to 300 million workers and 55.99 million employers throughout 2023, with around 40 percent of the employers in the manufacturing sector.
The ministry is set to introduce a youth job creation program this year, including measures to boost employment for college graduates. Youth employment, particularly for college graduates, remains a top priority, emphasized ministry official Chen Yongjia. Throughout 2025, the ministry will organize a series of activities to promote employment and entrepreneurship among young people.
China's continued efforts to stabilize employment and foster job creation reflect its commitment to economic growth and social development. With new initiatives on the horizon, the country aims to further strengthen its labor market and provide more opportunities for its citizens.
Reference(s):
China adds 12.56m new urban jobs in 2024, employment situation stable
cgtn.com
