Wendy Zhang/ Shanghai Daily news

Shanghai created a total of 608,000 new jobs last year, resulting in a decline in the number of registered jobless in the local urban area and townships for the first time over the last ten years, today's Wenhui Daily reported.
According to the Shanghai Labor and Social Security Bureau, of the 608,000 job opportunities last year, 337,000 went to men and 271,000 to women. By the end of last year, a total of 274,283 in the local urban area and townships had registered as jobless, an unemployment rate of 4.5 percent, down from a year before.
Besides the improving economic situation in Shanghai, local government's efforts to enhance employment, especially for those in difficulties, have largely relieved the tough employment situation here, said an industry analyst.
A total of 1,934 public welfare institutes were launched last year for 66,600 jobless and poor people.