Minister of Human Resources and Social Security Wang Xiaoping (2nd L, back) attends a press conference held by the State Council Information Office (SCIO) on achievements in high-quality development of employment and social security in the 14th Five-Year Plan period (2021-2025) in Beijing, capital of China, Sept. 26, 2025. (Xinhua/Li Xin)

 
During the 14th Five-Year Plan (2021–2025) period, China’s employment situation has remained generally stable, with continuous optimization of the employment structure and steady improvements in employment quality. As of the end of August, a total of 59.21 million new urban jobs had been created, exceeding the target of 55 million, Minister of Human Resources and Social Security Wang Xiaoping said at a conference on Friday.

The average urban surveyed unemployment rate over the first four years of the period was 5.3 percent, lower than the expected control target of 5.5 percent, Wang noted. 

“Stable employment has provided strong support for maintaining the overall stability of economic and social development,” the minister added. 

Wang stated that the period was one of rapid employment development, but also one marked by significant challenges and difficulties . The pressures of stabilizing economic growth and employment have persisted, while structural employment contradictions have become increasingly prominent. 

She mentioned that the central authorities specifically issued guidelines on promoting high-quality and full employment, which were earnestly implemented by all regions and departments. 

Strong support was provided to maintain overall stability in the employment situation, achieving relatively full employment in a country with a population of 1.4 billion, Wang said.

Confronted with complex international situation and arduous domestic tasks for reform, development, and stability, timely policies were introduced to support employment, resulting in cumulative expenditures of over 470 billion yuan in employment subsidies and 138.9 billion yuan in job stabilization rebates, Wang said. 

During the conference, Wang also mentioned that efforts were made to optimize the policy environment for entrepreneurship, such as entrepreneurship training, entrepreneurship services, incubation, and activities. 

The average annual number of new market entities exceeded 10 million, the minister added.

On the social security system, the ministry said it has been further strengthened during the period. 

Currently, the number of people covered by basic pension insurance nationwide has reached 1.072 billion, an increase of over 73 million since the end of the 13th Five-Year Plan period, with the coverage rate rising from 91 percent to over 95 percent.

Global Times