Young Chinese Struggling with Unemployment and Lengthy Work Hours
China's economic downturn has led to historically high youth unemployment rates, forcing many young, well-educated individuals to return to their parents' homes and become "full-time children." This term refers to the young adults who now handle household chores, such as cooking, cleaning, and running errands for their parents, in exchange for financial support. Social media platforms like Weibo have seen millions of posts using the hashtags #FullTimeDaughter and #FullTimeSon in recent months.
The recent trend, which can be seen as an escape from their demanding work lives, is a result of the poor work-life balance and burnout among young Chinese professionals. Working hours often span from nine in the morning to nine at night, six days a week. This situation has become so common in China that it's often seen as the norm.
Xiang Biao, Director of the Max Planck Institute for Social Anthropology, spoke about this issue in the ntv podcast "Wieder was gelernt." He explained that China's growth over the decades would not have been possible without the self-denial of its people, who put their daily happiness aside to work longer and harder. However, this self-sacrifice has led to high levels of youth unemployment, with one in five individuals under 25 currently jobless.
International Perspective
Youth unemployment is also a major challenge in Europe, affecting countries like Portugal, Italy, Sweden, Greece, and Spain with even higher rates. The pandemic has further exacerbated this issue, as the zero-corona policy has negatively impacted China's economy for three years, leading to even slower recovery than expected.
Struggling Meritocracy
Despite belief in meritocracy, young Chinese are beginning to question this thinking, opting for fewer or no jobs and a more relaxed lifestyle altogether. Termed "tangping" or "lying flat," this trend is making its way into smaller jobs and even to those with a university degree, like working as delivery drivers or salespeople. Some young individuals are also opting to stay in college instead of entering the workforce.
Government Intervention
The Chinese government is attempting to address youth unemployment by encouraging young people to work in rural areas. This has historical roots; in the 1960s and 1970s, Beijing sent millions to work in the countryside under Mao Zedong's command. Today, universities and employers collaborate to connect recent graduates with rural job opportunities. Programs like these aim to create employment for young individuals and modernize rural areas.
However, the program's results have been mixed. While some young individuals have thrived in rural areas, many return to urban spaces as soon as they can, drawn by the comfort and higher wages available there. Others might find it challenging to adapt to the slower pace and more basic living conditions.
As China grapples with this issue, it's clear that the solution requires a nuanced approach. Multifaceted solutions involving education, government policies, and societal attitudes will be required to improve the situation for young Chinese individuals and promote a healthier work-life balance.
