China’s record high youth unemployment pushes province to roll out 100-day plan to help university graduates ‘land a job’

Officials in Henan province will target university graduates from low-income families, those who are physically handicapped and those in prolonged unemployment

Youth unemployment has become one of Beijing’s biggest economic headaches, with the joblessness rate for the 16-24 age group hitting a record high in April

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A record 11.58 million university graduates are set to enter China’s job market this year. Photo: AFP

Published: 5:30am, 1 Jun 2023Updated: 9:17am, 1 Jun 2023

China’s third most populous province, famous for its iPhone factories, transport links and agricultural businesses, has launched a campaign to help university graduates find a job amid record high youth unemployment.

The central province of Henan will target graduates from low-income families, those who are physically handicapped and those in prolonged unemployment, it said on Tuesday, with the campaign set to run until the end of August.

“Universities must focus on this year’s graduates as they have had relatively less internship experiences under the pandemic,” the province’s education department said in its 100-day action plan.

“Schools must get to know the number of graduates facing employment problems and provide targeted guidance in order to drive their motivation in landing a job as soon as possible.”

Henan’s provincial government expects 870,000 university graduates this year from an anticipated record national total of 11.58 million.

Youth unemployment has become one of Beijing’s biggest economic headaches amid its recovery efforts, and in April, 20.4 per cent of China’s 16-24 age group were unemployed, up from 19.6 per cent in March.