[Vox pop] Is there a ‘curse of 35’ in China?

In rapidly evolving industries, some companies associate workers aged 35 and above with declining work enthusiasm and energy. They favour younger employees with fresh ideas to keep their companies current and competitive. This viewpoint is encapsulated in the saying: “Valued as a human resource before 35; seen as a labour cost after.” The preference for candidates under 35 is reflected in job listings which frequently stipulate age-related requirements such as “under 35” or “born after 1990”, perpetuating the “curse of 35” across China’s workplaces.

This phenomenon not only limits opportunities for experienced professionals but also heightens concerns about unemployment and skill obsolescence among older workers. According to a 2022 survey by the All-China Federation of Trade Unions, 54.1% of workers in the 35-39 age group worry about unemployment, 70.7% of them fear that their skills will become outdated, while 94.8% of them feel stressed at work — these are percentages that are the highest among all age groups.

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