‘Job search is tough’: China’s desperate youth cause headaches for Beijing

Amid China’s ongoing economic struggles, unemployment remains a headache for Beijing. In this eight-part series, we examine the range of unemployment issues facing the world’s second-largest economy, from youth to the ’35 curse’, as well as gig workers and the policy implications.

In late May, Beijing-based start-up founder Zuyi Lee posted a part-time accounting job on an online recruitment platform. Within 24 hours, 142 applicants had contacted.

Lee whittled the list down to 16 applicants, with only one no-show.

“For recent graduates, competition in the job search is fierce,” Lee said. “It is clear that many are in urgent need of employment.”

It peaked at 15.3 percent in February and March, but has since eased slightly, falling to 14.2 percent in May.

China’s overall surveyed urban unemployment rate, meanwhile, stood at 5 percent in May, unchanged from April.

Chu Zhaohui, a researcher at China’s National Institute of Education Sciences, said lack of job demand and structural unemployment were the two main unemployment issues in China.

“There are many people with learning and general knowledge, but few of them have the professional skills required in various industries,” Chu said.

Xi pledged to make youth employment a top policy priority and stressed that employment for university graduates should be the main focus.

In mid-June, China unveiled robust initiatives, including subsidies for companies hiring college graduates and a scheme to create at least 1 million internship positions a year for young people by the end of 2025.

In May, the Ministry of Education also conducted a “100-day sprint” initiative to increase employment opportunities for graduates by organizing company visits and strengthening internship programs.

By the end of May, 2,524 universities had visited companies and explored employment opportunities, creating nearly 3.76 million new jobs, according to state media.

China also released a list of 19 newly recognized professions in late May related to the digital economy, smart manufacturing and modern services, including live broadcast anchor and artificial intelligence generation system application specialist.

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“If graduates subjectively accept some new industries and positions suitable for themselves, it can ease the pressure of employment,” Lee added.

They can be a guide for hiring, but still need to be tested by the market, Chu said.

Nine of the new occupations are labeled “S”, indicating digital occupations.

“Some of my classmates tried to find opportunities through the Internet, such as bloggers and knowledge services. Although it was just a hobby at first, some of them made it later,” said Maria Yeung, who graduated from a medical college in the southeastern Fujian province in June.

“I know that the current job market is very competitive. If the jobs available now don’t match my future plans and expectations, I’d rather wait a little longer,” said Rita Lin, who is entering her final year studying finance at a university in Shanghai.

“The competitive pressure to be a civil servant or to obtain a higher academic education is no less than the pressure of other employment choices. At the same time, the salary of fresh graduates is not equal to the hard work,” said Yeung.

But according to Chu, the labor market is directly related to the development of various industries, which is beyond the control of job seekers.

“On a personal level, it can try to change their views on employment and better adapt to the needs of real society,” added Chu.

“Integration into the global market system is the essential solution. In the long run, we need greater openness and more open supply and demand relationships.”