Key facts
- China's new labor policy prioritizes re-employment of urban jobless and expands social safety nets for gig workers.
- The 15th Five-Year Plan (2026-2030) mandates re-employment for 25 million urban residents.
- It also aims to secure jobs for 6.5 million people from disadvantaged groups.
- The plan caps the surveyed urban unemployment rate at 5.5%.
China is shifting its labor strategy to focus on re-employing its urban jobless population and enhancing social safety nets for gig workers, moving away from previous emphasis on gross job creation targets. The Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security's 15th Five-Year Plan for the Development of Human Resources and Social Security, covering 2026 to 2030, outlines ambitious goals. These include mandatory targets to re-employ 25 million unemployed urban residents and to provide jobs for 6.5 million individuals from disadvantaged groups. Additionally, the plan mandates that the surveyed urban unemployment rate be kept at or below 5.5%.