China youth flock to civil service jobs that now offer less security

TOPSHOT - A woman works at a texile factory in Siyang County of Suqian municipality in east China's Jiangsu province on December 24, 2024. China will raise its deficit in order to boost spending next year, its finance minister said on December 24 according to state media, as Beijing looks to prop up its struggling economy. (Photo by AFP) / China OUT

A record 3.4 million young Chinese flocked to the civil service exam this year, lured by the prospect of lifetime job security and perks including subsidised housing as an economic slowdown batters the private sector and youth unemployment remains high.

Applicant numbers, which surged by over 400,000 from last year and have tripled since 2014, reflect the huge demand for stability from disillusioned Gen Z Chinese and the lack of attractive options in the private sector even though local governments are struggling to pay wages due to a fiscal crisis.