CHINA

More Young Chinese Are Giving Up on the Job Hunt, Study Says

Published: Jul. 16, 2025 4:04 p.m. GMT+8

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A rising number of young people in China are not just struggling to find jobs — they are giving up on the job hunt completely.

The phenomenon, part of a global trend, has led to a surge in what sociologists call “NEETs” — young people Not in Education, Employment, or Training. This expanding and often-hidden group is raising concerns among economists about the long-term health of the world’s second-largest economy.

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China's youth labor force participation (ages 16-34) dropped from 93.3% in 2018 to 86.1% in 2022; NEETs in this group rose from 11.5% to 16.1%.
NEET rates are higher among women (22.7% in 2022) and rural youth (19.1%), with notable growth among those aged 30-34.
The rising NEET trend is driven by labor market pressures, skill mismatches, and changing attitudes, raising concerns over long-term economic and social impacts.

AI generated, for reference only

What Happened When

Since 2005：: The global rate of young people classified as NEETs hovered between 20% and 23%.

2018：: The NEET rate for Chinese youth aged 30 to 34 was 2.2%.

From 2018 to 2022：: The labor-force participation rate for Chinese youth aged 16 to 34 fell from 93.3% in 2018 to 86.1% in 2022.

From 2018 to 2022：: The proportion of Chinese youth aged 16 to 34 considered NEETs climbed from 11.5% in 2018 to 16.1% in 2022.

From 2018 to 2022：: The NEET rate for Chinese youth aged 16 to 24 fell slightly, partly due to an expansion in higher education.

2022：: The NEET rate for Chinese youth aged 30 to 34 rose to 12.3%.

2022：: The NEET rate for young women in China reached 22.7%.

2022：: The NEET rate for all rural youth in China climbed to 19.1%.

2022：: China’s central provinces recorded the highest urban NEET rates, while the eastern coastal region had the lowest.

2024：: According to a 2024 report from the International Labour Organization, about 256 million people aged 15 to 24 worldwide are classified as NEETs.

AI generated, for reference only