China creates 6.95m new urban jobs in H1, achieving 58% of full-year target

BEIJING, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 23rd Jul, 2026) China's overall employment situation remained generally stable during the first half, with 6.95 million new urban jobs created, unchanged from the same period last year, while the average surveyed urban unemployment rate stood at 5.2 percent, Cui Pengcheng, director-general of the policy research department and spokesperson of the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security, said at a press briefing on Wednesday.

The figures show that China is on track to meet its full-year target of creating more than 12 million new urban jobs while keeping the surveyed urban unemployment rate at about 5.5 percent this year. Analysts attributed the performance to several factors, including the resilient growth of the world's second-largest economy, the sustained impact of pro-employment policies, and fresh momentum from new industries - such as artificial intelligence (AI) - amid the broader economic upgrading.

Based on calculations by the Global Times, the creation of 6.9 million new urban jobs in the first half means that China has achieved about 58 percent of its full-year target.

During the press briefing, Cui highlighted the country's stepped-up efforts in stabilizing the job market this year, including introducing policies to stabilize employment, as well as promoting the formulation of a development plan for human resources during the 15th Five-Year Plan (2026-30) period, and the action plan for stabilizing and expanding employment.

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The ministry has also deepened pilot programs for the integrated development of the human resources services industry and manufacturing.

The ministry has also strengthened large-scale vocational skills upgrading training. In collaboration with industry departments and mass organizations, it has carried out targeted training programs in five key areas - AI, advanced manufacturing, new-energy vehicles, elder care services, and the low-altitude economy, according to Cui.

With regard to promoting employment for key groups, Chinese authorities have introduced 16 policy measures to boost employment among college graduates and other young people, while also launching a 100-day campaign to bring employment public services into campuses.

Li Changan, a professor at the academy of China Open Economy Studies at the University of International Business and Economics, told the Global Times on Wednesday that China's policy system for stabilizing employment and supporting key groups has become more mature, while technological progress, industrial upgrading and new business models are opening up more job options.

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