Why China's Youth Are Rushing to Government Jobs

A growing number of educated young Chinese are turning to government jobs in search of stability, as economic headwinds weaken prospects in the private sector. With China’s economy under pressure, public service roles are once again being seen as safe and reliable career options.

Last month, a record 3.7 million candidates—including graduates from some of China’s top universities—appeared for the national civil service examination. However, only about 38,100 entry-level government positions will be available next year, meaning fewer than one in 100 applicants will succeed. Despite the long odds, demand remains intense.

The rush is being driven largely by a sharp slowdown in private-sector hiring. Urban unemployment among people aged 16 to 24 has remained above 17 per cent since July, significantly higher than youth unemployment levels in countries like the United States. Weak business sentiment and an extended economic slump have made private-sector careers increasingly uncertain.

Government jobs, once referred to as “iron rice bowls” for their stability and predictable hours, had lost popularity during years of rapid economic growth. As China opened up, young graduates gravitated toward higher-paying private-sector roles, particularly at technology giants such as Alibaba, Tencent, and Huawei. Readmore!

That trend is now reversing. Beijing’s regulatory crackdowns on sectors such as real estate, technology, and private tutoring—combined with slowing growth—have led to widespread layoffs. According to an industry body, China’s top 500 private companies cut over 314,000 jobs last year.

Faced with fewer opportunities and rising competition, many young jobseekers are scaling back expectations and prioritising job security. The share of graduates seeking work in private companies has fallen sharply, dropping to 12.5 per cent last year from 25.1 per cent in 2020, according to survey data.

Experts say the renewed interest in public service also reflects growing disillusionment with private enterprises and a stronger desire for work-life balance among younger workers.

At the same time, enthusiasm for postgraduate studies is also fading. The number of candidates taking the national postgraduate entrance examination fell to 3.4 million in October, down from a peak of 4.74 million in 2023, signalling declining confidence that advanced degrees will guarantee better job prospects.

Together, these trends underline a clear shift in career priorities among China’s youth, with stability now taking precedence over ambition in an uncertain economic environment.