Economic Uncertainty Fuels Record Turnout in China’s Civil Service Exam as Job Market Dips

Contrary to the tall claims, Chinese youngsters have been hunting for jobs from pillar to post. One big piece of evidence was the appearance of more than three million people in China’s recently held annual civil service exam. It was a record in itself. The record number underscored young people’s concerns about getting a secure job in a rocky economy.

Where are the jobs? Unemployment is increasing in the world’s second strong economy. The appearance of three million people in the civil service exam showed that all was not well in China particularly with regard to jobs and job security. Soaring prices, high cost of living and retrenchment spree in private or corporate sectors have made things difficult for Chinese youth. The latest survey indicated that the urban unemployment rate stood at 5 per cent in October, unchanged from September. This year, the rate had peaked at 5.6 per cent in February, but it has now fallen to its lowest level since November 2021. It had risen as high as 6.1 per cent in April 2022 after strict coronavirus lockdowns and control measures had affected many regions, including in the international hub of Shanghai.

China’s National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), which is responsible for preparing the unemployment data, stopped releasing the data from July month. In June, the data showed that China’s jobless rate for 16 to 24 age groups had climbed to an all-time high of 21.3 per cent in June.

Three months later, NBS spokeswoman Liu Aihua said that the job market for college graduates was expected to improve but failed to provide a specific timetable for resuming the release of the youth unemployment data.

According to SCMP, the employment sentiment index within the central bank’s second-quarter survey of 20,000 residential households in 50 cities fell to 48.7 per cent from 52.3 per cent in the first three months of the year. Within the survey, 44.5 per cent of respondents reported “so-so” on job hunting, and 43.7 per cent reported difficulties or uncertainty.

Global times reported that there are 68 people on average competing for one position in the exam. A postal service position in Ngari prefecture, Southwest China’s Xizang Autonomous Region, has attracted nearly 20,000 examinees for registration. Then rollout surpassed two million for the first time. It was attributed to the bright career prospects of public servants and the openness, fairness and accountability of the selection process, claimed Qian Yuying, a professor of Department of Politics and Public Management, Soochow University.

Experts on job careers think otherwise. The reason for 3 million appearing in the civil service test was due to dwindling job opportunities in the private sector. However, youth decided to test their luck in a less glamorous career in the civil service. “After all, the general environment is not good,” one user of the Weibo social media platform said of economic prospects as posts about the civil service exam surged.

“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. Less earnings is fine. At least I won’t be unemployed and starve to death.”

Post Covid, the Chinese government has been struggling to get its economy back on track. The government introduced a rash of policy measures, including strengthening financial support for private companies. A researcher at the China National Academy of Educational Sciences reported the number of people declined in trying to get into graduate school due to insecurity about work as a factor. A researcher said that for many undergraduate graduates, if they can find a job now, they will definitely prefer to work as soon as possible. People feel that they won’t get a job after graduate school. A gloomy picture indeed.

Experts said that the record number of Chinese youth taking the civil service exam in 2023 reflects several underlying trends in the country’s economy and society. It showed that China’s economy has slowed down in recent years, leading to concerns among young people about job security and career prospects. Government jobs are generally seen as more stable and secure than positions in the private sector, which is why many young people are turning to civil service as a path to a stable career.

Also, there has been a growing emphasis on social status and personal fulfillment in China, and many young people see government jobs as a way to achieve these goals.  Lastly, the private sector in China is still heavily regulated, and there are not always enough opportunities for young people to pursue their desired careers. This lack of options is pushing many to consider civil service as their best bet for a stable and fulfilling job.