Chinese youth jostle for 'iron rice bowl' jobs despite risk from slowing economy

A record 3.4 million young Chinese sat the civil service exam in 2024, 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 more than 400,000 from 2023 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.

Ms Klaire, a master's student in Beijing, took the notoriously competitive exam in early December, studying for nine hours a day and spending 980 yuan (S$180) on online tutoring.

She cited social prestige and stability as main reasons for her decision to apply only for government or state-owned enterprise jobs. Ms Klaire said she also saw colleagues get laid off during a previous tech internship.

"I only want to pass the exam and not worry about what happens next," said the 24-year-old, who did not give her surname. "Despite personally knowing civil servants who haven't been paid for months, I still applied because I don't wish to make lots of money."

If she passes the exam, she will have a further interview and political background and physical checks, with the final outcome expected around April.

Layoffs are rare in China's civil service, earning it the "iron rice bowl" moniker, though individuals can be dismissed for disciplinary violations.

Associate Professor Alfred Wu from the National University of Singapore said: "The current leadership has no intention of reducing the size of public sector workers, who are the backbone of regime stability."