CNBC recently reported that among China’s MZ generation, those who have been unemployed or given up employment live in rural areas and record their daily “retirement” lives in rural areas on their social networking services (SNS). They often call themselves “retirees” and publicly state that they were born in the 1990s or 2000s on their SNS profiles.
The 22-year-old retiree, who works under the pseudonym Wenzi Dada online, has moved to the Chinese mountainous province of Guizhou. He currently resides in a bamboo shack located on the edge of a cliff. Wenji, who has worked in various industries in the past, including manufacturing, construction, and auto repair, told local media that he was tired of handling machines every day and couldn’t find satisfactory jobs in his hometown.
Since moving to the mountain, Wenji has been posting videos of himself cooking, harvesting vegetables, and how to manage his house on social media. “As time passes, I start to think about the meaning of life. Life is not just about the prosperity of a city. The tranquility of the countryside is also a kind of beauty,” CNBC reported.
Nevertheless, young retirees like Wenji have been criticized for being too picky and for giving up employment. He said in a post in April, “This is not ‘lying down.’ Getting ready for retirement in advance so you can enjoy your old age later.”
In response, Chung Chi-nien, a chair professor at the Hong Kong University of Technology and Science, diagnosed that it has become very difficult for young people to find jobs, especially in large cities, as China’s economy is struggling. As 11.8 million college graduates entered the labor market this year, competition intensified, reducing the value of college degrees. This further reduced job opportunities for job seekers who lack certificates and experience.
China’s youth unemployment rate stood at 18.8% in August, up from 17.1% in July. Analysts say that this is the result of China’s shrinking domestic economy and a continued slump in the housing sector. Professor Chung Chi-nien added, “When these factors are combined, it is not surprising that young people are moving to the provinces.”
Some point out that the “quality of jobs” is a problem. Dan Wang, chief economist at Antibiotic Bank, said that the high value-added service sector, which had absorbed many new graduates over the past three years, especially real estate and finance, has sharply declined. He added that there are many low-wage jobs in cities such as delivery and ride-hailing, but the younger generation does not want them.
SOPHIA KIM
US ASIA JOURNAL
