China achieved a significant milestone in 2024 by creating 12.56 million new urban jobs, according to the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security. The announcement was made on Tuesday, highlighting the nation's efforts in maintaining a stable employment landscape.
In 2024, the surveyed urban unemployment rate stood at 5.1 percent, a slight decrease of 0.1 percentage points from the previous year. \"The employment situation remained generally stable,\" stated Lu Aihong, spokesperson for the ministry, during a press conference.
Employment opportunities have notably increased for individuals lifted from poverty. By the end of 2024, over 33.05 million people who had overcome poverty were employed, showcasing China's commitment to improving livelihoods across the nation.
The expansion of social security coverage also marked a significant development. China's 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, are instrumental in providing citizens with access to various social welfare services.
Lu highlighted the ministry's efforts in enhancing vocational skills among the workforce. Over 12 million individuals obtained vocational skill-level certificates or professional qualification certificates last year, following strengthened management of vocational competence assessments.
Looking ahead to 2025, the ministry announced plans to implement a targeted employment support program. This initiative aims to support key sectors, industries, urban-rural grassroots, as well as micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises. The program will establish a mechanism for collecting and releasing information on job positions related to major projects, facilitating better employment opportunities.
The ministry also intends to accelerate the development of policies to enhance the appeal of the private pension system, aiming to provide better retirement security for the population.
According to Zhang Wenmiao, an official with the ministry, by the end of 2023, there were 70,000 human resource service agencies operating across the country, 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.
Youth employment remains a top priority. The ministry announced that this year, it would introduce a youth job creation program, 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
