China creates 10.52 million jobs, plans new AI and services employment measures

Investing.com -- China created 10.52 million urban jobs in the first nine months of 2026, reaching 87.7% of its annual target, as Beijing announced plans to expand employment opportunities in artificial intelligence and the services sector.

The Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security said on Saturday that employment conditions remained generally stable, with the surveyed urban unemployment rate averaging 5.2% between January and August.

Officials outlined initiatives aimed at supporting job creation, including a programme to help workers adapt their skills to advances in artificial intelligence.

The government also plans to introduce measures encouraging employment in the services sector, which authorities view as a major source of new jobs.

Vice Minister and ministry spokesperson Li Zhong said the government would work with other departments to develop a policy document promoting employment through services sector growth.

The initiative is intended to strengthen the sector’s role in absorbing workers across the economy.

Beijing will also seek to stabilise employment in labour-intensive industries and identify opportunities in emerging and future industries, Li said.

Other planned measures include additional employment support for university graduates and young people entering the workforce.

Authorities also intend to improve job quality for flexible workers and people employed through newer forms of work arrangements.

The announcements come as China seeks to balance technological development with employment stability, particularly as artificial intelligence reshapes workforce skills.

Officials also provided updated figures on the country’s social insurance programmes.

Basic pension insurance covered 1.079 billion people at the end of September, according to the ministry.

Unemployment insurance covered 251 million people, while work-injury insurance, including occupational-injury protection, covered 327 million.

The combined balance of China’s three social insurance funds stood at 11.2 trillion yuan ($1.67 trillion), the ministry said.

The latest employment figures leave China needing approximately 1.48 million additional urban jobs in the final quarter to meet its annual target of 12 million.