China creates nearly 7 million urban jobs in first half of 2026

China's labour market maintained steady momentum in the first half of 2026, with 6.95 million new urban jobs created and the average surveyed urban unemployment rate holding at 5.2 per cent, according to the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security.

The latest figures indicate continued resilience in the country's employment market, supported by targeted workforce development policies, expanded vocational training and strengthened labour protections, as reported by China Daily, a TV BRICS partner.

To address changing labour market demands, authorities significantly expanded vocational skills programmes during the first six months of the year. More than 5.5 million subsidised training opportunities were provided across sectors identified as strategic growth areas, including artificial intelligence, advanced manufacturing, new energy vehicles, healthcare, elderly care services and the low-altitude economy.

The ministry also reported that approximately 4.82 million people obtained vocational qualifications or recognised skills certificates during the period, reinforcing efforts to improve workforce competitiveness and meet demand for highly skilled professionals.

Public employment services were further enhanced through new digital recruitment initiatives designed to improve job matching and broaden access to employment opportunities. Among the measures introduced was a nationwide online recruitment campaign targeting the internet and digital economy sectors.

The latest employment data highlights the government's focus on combining job creation, workforce upskilling and labour market reforms to support stable economic growth and improve long-term employment resilience.