The year 2025 marks the culmination of the 14th Five-Year Plan (2021-2025) in the Chinese mainland, focusing on enhancing and expanding basic public services to ensure universal access and inclusivity. This initiative aims to ensure that development benefits everyone fairly, fostering a greater sense of fulfillment, happiness, and security among residents.
Improving livelihoods and welfare has been a central goal of the plan, with numerous policies implemented since 2021 targeting employment, income, education, healthcare, social security, and public services. In 2024, amid global uncertainties, China promoted high-quality development, achieving significant progress in areas such as resident income, employment, living conditions, and life expectancy.
According to the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), the per capita disposable income in 2024 reached 41,314 yuan (approximately $5,747), reflecting a 5.3% nominal increase and a 5.1% real growth after adjusting for inflation. Rural incomes grew by 6.6%, outpacing the 4.6% growth observed in urban areas. The surveyed urban unemployment rate averaged 5.1%, a slight decrease from the previous year, attributed to economic expansion, increased job opportunities in the service sector, and the government's "employment first" policy.
Additionally, 33.05 million people emerged from poverty through employment by the end of 2024, maintaining a four-year streak of over 30 million individuals benefiting annually. Social security coverage also expanded, with nearly 1.39 billion cardholders, including 1.07 billion digital users.
Looking ahead to 2025, the Chinese central authorities have outlined new measures to further improve livelihoods. These include targeted employment support programs, enhanced private pension systems, and initiatives to unlock housing demand by supporting first-time homebuyers and improving housing conditions. Efforts to expand affordable housing will focus on new urban residents, young people, and migrant workers.
Mental health has also become a priority, with 18 provincial-level regions launching the 12356 mental health assistance hotline to provide accessible services. The National Health Commission (NHC) has designated 2025 to 2027 as the "pediatrics and mental health service years," aiming to promote mental health knowledge and ensure specialized clinics are available in every city-level region.
This week, the Chinese mainland unveiled its first central policy statement for 2025, emphasizing the importance of securing agricultural supplies like grain and building on poverty alleviation achievements. Wang Jinchen, deputy director of the Development Planning Department at the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, stated, \"Our task is to keep the rice bowl firmly in our own hands,\" highlighting the government's commitment to stabilizing grain production, enhancing yields, and reducing losses through targeted actions.
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China sees improvement in people's livelihood, maps out plans for 2025
cgtn.com
