China’s Gen Z OK to wait for wealth with record graduates to fight for jobs, US youth less patient
- A record high 10.76 million graduates are set to enter the job market in China this year, but the number of openings has fallen amid high unemployment in 16- 24 age group
- China Generation Z, those born from around 1995 to 2009, are leaning towards a different route than their US counterparts who still crave the American dream
Ahead of what is set to be the most difficult summer to find a job in China – amid an economic slowdown and with record number of young workers entering the market and fighting for fewer jobs – the work-life balance scales appear to be shifting for the nation’s latest crop of Gen Z graduates.
“There are about 100 graduates from my college this year, but only 10 are planning to get a job right after graduation,” said 22-year-old Sophia Xie, who will complete her studies at a top university in Shenzhen this summer.
“The others are planning to study for a master’s degree abroad or at home, or preparing for the civil service examination, or even just staying at home until they find a job to their liking.
“Many of my peers choose to be voluntarily unemployed, especially in first- and second-tier cities.”
We call ourselves the generation with a low desire for marriage, childbirth and high incomes