Govt job mania in China: Over 3 million take civil service exam for 39,600 posts

The lull of a government job does not seem to be exclusive to Indians. According to a recent report, a mind-boggling three million youth took the civil service exam in neighbouring China in the hope of landing a government job. This unprecedented number reflects the concerns of the country’s youth grappling with high levels of unemployment amid economic uncertainty. In the wake of a turbulent economy, the appeal of a government job has grown, particularly as opportunities in the private sector diminish. Many candidates shared their motivations on the Weibo social media platform, citing the instability of the job market as a driving factor. One user expressed, “After all, the general environment is not good… Companies are laying off employees and closing down in large numbers. It is not stable at all, so I have to choose to be a civil servant. The lower salary is fine. At least I won’t be unemployed and starve to death.” The civil service exam, held simultaneously in 237 cities across the country, saw a record-breaking 39,600 vacancies at central government agencies and affiliated institutions. The Global Times newspaper reported an average of 77 candidates competing for each position.

China, grappling with economic recovery post-COVID-19, has implemented various policy measures to support private companies. However, concerns about job security have led to a decline in the number of individuals applying to graduate school. Chu Zhaohui, a researcher from the China National Academy of Educational Sciences, highlighted that many undergraduate graduates prefer immediate employment due to low expectations of job opportunities post-graduation.

Over the past five years, the number of civil service positions has increased, with nearly 2.6 million candidates vying for 37,100 vacancies last year alone. This trend underscores the shifting preferences of Chinese youth in pursuit of stable employment in the public sector