The new measures announced on Friday by the State Council are part of China’s broader push to create a unified national market by removing barriers to the free flow of capital and talent.

Under the new policy, workers can enrol in social insurance programmes in the cities where they are employed, regardless of their official household registration, or hukou.

In China, social insurance costs are shared among employers, employees, and the government, depending on the coverage type.

In the past, many employees could not qualify for social insurance programmes and their benefits – such as pensions and medical coverage – because their household was registered in another jurisdiction.

Peng Peng, executive chairman of the Guangdong Society of Reform think tank, said the nationwide change would have widespread effects, from promoting urbanisation and the real estate market, to helping establish a national market and even releasing some consumer spending power.