SHANGHAI, Nov. 1 -- COMPETITION for government jobs is getting fiercer - a record 19,833 Shanghai residents have so far applied to become civil servants with central government agencies.

Online applications close on Friday for the 644 jobs available in the city.

Since registration opened on October 23, the Shanghai Entry-Exit Inspection and Quarantine Agency has collected more than 6,100 resumes, more than any other unit, for its 300 positions.

The local branch of China's Insurance Regulatory Commission is among the most popular with applicants, with 1,357 vying for only five vacancies by yesterday.

That means an average of 226 people will compete for a single position at the insurance regulator's local branch, the highest ratio among all vacancies in the city, according to the Ministry of Personnel's online application system.

Nationwide, the competition for central government jobs is even keener, as more than 2,400 applicants were attracted to one office clerk's position with the Ministry of Agriculture.

Government jobs in China are popular because of good pension plans and handsome salaries.

"But what's more important is that government jobs are steady, which is very precious in the up-or-down job market," said Wang Yuanyuan, a local university graduate.

Applicants will need to take a written exam testing their abilities and professional competence, and get through a further round of face-to-face interviews from December.

Recruitment for jobs in local government departments starts later this month. Last year, a record 53,307 people registered to chase the 2,558 job vacancies in local government, compared with 45,000 applicants in 2005.

Most applicants are fresh graduates, according to Shanghai Personnel Bureau.