BEIJING -- China's private sector now provides more than 160 million jobs, according to the State Administration for Industry & Commerce.

Related readings:  China's private equity to take 'different path'  China's private firms emerge from economic doldrums  Private sector to be larger part of China's economy  Employment to remain a continuing challenge

The country registered about 40 million private businesses amidst robust growth during the 11th Five-Year period (2006-2010).

Further, the private sector has employed about 7.87 million workers laid off from state-owned or collective enterprises in the past five years.

Individually-operated businesses top 34.07 million, involving 1.27 trillion yuan ($193.01 billion) of registered capital and 69.82 million employees.

Of note, private enterprises topped 8.19 million with 17.73 trillion yuan of registered capital and 91.83 million employees, according to the administration.