[Vox pop] Can young people in China find jobs?
With graduation season just over, millions of young people in China are leaving campus life behind and bracing for what comes next. But competition is fierce, and finding a job is not easy. ThinkChina’s Lu Lingming talks to some people from China to hear their thoughts.
Across China, university graduation ceremonies are held from late June to early July. As the celebrations wrap up, attention quickly turns to the next phase — jobs. This year, a record-breaking 12.2 million fresh graduates are entering the market. But with China’s economy slowing down, there may not be enough opportunities to go around. For young people stepping out of campus and into society, the competition is real.
I spoke with a range of people from China — students still in school, fresh graduates entering the job market and professionals already working. Many pointed out that there are simply too many college graduates, and there may not be enough jobs to match the number of people looking for them. However, as one finance worker mentioned, getting an office job may be tough, but if young people are willing to do manual work, finding employment usually isn’t a problem.
At the same time, many also shared their thoughts on salaries. Expectations vary widely; depending on the region and industry, they can differ by more than three times.
So, what is the job market really like for China’s young people in 2025? Watch the video to find out.
This video was produced with assistance from William Tang, Zaobao video team.
