Having a job topped the list of major concerns for Chinese people, according to a recent survey.

The priority was followed by better living conditions and medical insurance, the survey, by the Beijing-based China Mainland Marketing Research Company, found.

Medical insurance is still a fledgling industry as China moves away from a free medical service system.

The 10,000-sample survey was conducted in 22 cities across China towards the end of last year. The results were released just before the annual convention of the National People's Congress, which will start on March 5, when representatives of the general public will gather and air their views on issues of common concern.

Other issues that made the top 10 priorities were economic development, public order, anti-corruption, environmental protection, social security for the elderly, stable prices and education.

"Different age groups have different concerns," observed Zhou Jiang, the company's general manager. "While young people are concerned with environmental protection and economic development, the most important things to middle-aged groups and the elderly are employment and medical insurance."

Results of the survey indicate that nearly 37 per cent of the respondents surveyed aged between 15 and 19 were concerned about the deteriorating environment and more than 30 per cent of respondents aged between 20 and 34 said they paid attention to economic development.

Nearly half of the survey respondents aged between 35 and 49 were concerned about the job situation, according to the survey.