China’s college graduates are facing a harsh reality as they enter the job market in 2023. With a record number of 11.6 million graduates competing for scarce opportunities, low wages, and high living costs, many of them are struggling to find decent work and fulfill their aspirations. Some of them are even being told by their college authorities to not “aim too high” or be “picky” about work.
A Record Number of Graduates: A Supply-Demand Mismatch
China’s college graduates have reached a historic high in 2023, as the country has expanded its higher education system in the past two decades. According to the Ministry of Education, the number of college graduates has increased by more than five times since 2000, when there were only 2.1 million graduates.
However, the rapid growth of college graduates has not been matched by a corresponding growth of job opportunities, especially in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic and the economic slowdown. According to the National Bureau of Statistics, the unemployment rate for young adults aged 16 to 24 rose to a record high of 21.3% in June 2023, up from 19.3% a year ago.
The oversupply of college graduates has also led to a decline in their average starting salary, which was only 4,500 yuan ($695) per month in 2023, according to a survey by Zhaopin.com, a leading online recruitment platform. This was lower than the average monthly income of urban residents, which was 5,000 yuan ($773) in 2023.
The low income and high living costs have made it difficult for many college graduates to afford basic necessities such as housing, food, and transportation, let alone save money or pursue their hobbies and interests.
A Low Expectation from Colleges: A Reality Check
Some of China’s colleges have also lowered their expectations for their graduates, as they face pressure from the government and the society to improve their employment rates. Some of them have even resorted to giving their graduates a reality check, telling them to not “aim too high” or be “picky” about work.
For example, at Chongqing Metropolitan College of Science and Technology, the president told his graduates in a commencement speech that “you must not aim too high or be picky about work. The opportunities are fleeting.” Similarly, at Shandong University of Finance and Economics, a teacher told his students that “you should be grateful for any job offer you get. Don’t be choosy or arrogant.”
These messages have sparked criticism and controversy among some netizens and experts, who argued that they were demoralizing and discouraging for the young generation. They said that the colleges should instead inspire and motivate their graduates to pursue their dreams and ambitions, and help them develop their skills and talents.
However, some others defended the colleges’ messages, saying that they were realistic and pragmatic in the current situation. They said that the colleges were trying to prepare their graduates for the tough job market and the fierce competition, and help them adjust their expectations and attitudes.
A New Trend among Graduates: A Full-Time Son or Daughter
Facing the bleak prospects of finding a satisfying job and living an independent life, some of China’s college graduates have opted for a new trend: becoming a full-time son or daughter. This term first appeared on Douban, a popular social media site, in 2022, and has since gained tens of thousands of followers.
The idea is that these graduates return to their hometowns and live with their parents, helping them with household chores, farming, caring for elderly relatives, or running small businesses. In return, they receive a modest allowance from their parents, ranging from 500 yuan ($77) to 2,000 yuan ($309) per month.
Some of these graduates said that they chose this lifestyle because they were tired of the rat race in big cities, where they had to work long hours for low pay and deal with high stress and pressure. They said that they preferred to live a simple and peaceful life with their families, where they could enjoy nature and pursue their hobbies.
However, some others said that they became full-time sons or daughters out of necessity rather than choice. They said that they could not find any suitable jobs in their fields of study or interest, or that they could not afford to rent an apartment or buy a house in big cities. They said that they hoped to find better opportunities in the future, but they were not optimistic.
