Chinese Graduates Struggle: Less Than 20% Find Jobs Amidst Job Market Woes

Local Chinese media outlets reported on the 11th (local time) that the employment rates of graduates from prestigious universities in China are declining while the rate of pursuing further education is rising.

Fudan University, a prestigious institution in Shanghai, shared data on the 9th, revealing that out of 3,226 undergraduate graduates from the previous year, only 583 found employment, accounting for 18.1%. In contrast, 1,714 enrolled in domestic graduate programs, and 564 pursued education abroad, resulting in a substantial 70.6% opting for further studies.

According to the statistical method considering further study and studying abroad as employment, Fudan University graduates’ employment rate last year was 88.7%.

Local media analysis suggests that many graduates opt for further studies or study abroad to enhance their professional knowledge and secure better job prospects. However, it’s also noted that the economic downturn‘s dire job shortage may have compelled them to choose further education.

According to the employment and further study statistics of Fudan University graduates reported by local media, the employment rate of last year’s graduates was the lowest in the previous five years.

The actual employment rate of this university’s graduates, which was 19.5% in 2019, remained in the 20% range for four consecutive years, with 23.1% in 2020, 25% in 2021, and 21.4% in 2022.

On the other hand, the rate of entering domestic graduate schools, which was 42.8% in 2019, gradually increased to 49.2% in 2022, when the spread of COVID-19 was strict, and quarantine control was strict, and exceeded 50% last year (53.1%).

In the case of studying abroad, it reached 27.8% in 2019 but fell to 22% in 2020 when the spread of COVID-19 began and has remained around 17% for three consecutive years from 2021.

They chose to study in China instead of studying abroad due to the economic difficulties caused by the spread of COVID-19.

The situation is similar at other prestigious universities.

Among the graduates of Tsinghua University, the top prestigious university in China, last year, only 15.2% or 491 people found jobs or started businesses, and 80.8% chose to further their studies or study abroad.

Jangjeong University recorded an actual employment rate of 22.2%, with 1,318 people employed, and 66.4% went on to further studies or study abroad.

Due to the slow economic recovery and prolonged stagnation in the real estate market, accounting for 80% of Chinese assets, the youth unemployment rate in China reached an all-time high of 21.3% in June of the previous year, with no official disclosure of youth unemployment rates since then.

A team of professors from Beijing University announced in July last year that “The government’s youth unemployment statistics do not include ‘Tangping Tribe’ (people who lie flat and do nothing) and ‘Kangaroo Tribe’ (singles between the ages of 20 and 45 still live with their parents) who depend on their parents for living,” and “The actual youth unemployment rate, including these people, reaches 46.5%.”