24 million job seekers

Tian Chengping, minister of labor and social security, admitted at yesterday's press conference that the employment situation is still serious although more than 10 million new jobs were created last year.

Pressure will continue to create more jobs as the baby boomers born in the 1980s join the labor force.

Restructuring State-owned enterprises will push more laid-off workers into the job market. In addition, millions of university graduates are entering the job market every year, with the number of new graduates reaching a record 4.95 million this summer. At the same time, more laborers from rural areas will continue to seek their fortunes in urban areas.