In China, the economic downturn, wave of company layoffs, and the issue of a minimum age requirement of 35 for employment have made it increasingly difficult for many middle-aged individuals to secure new jobs. Former high-paid middle-aged professionals who suddenly find themselves unemployed are struggling to find suitable employment opportunities. The once well-off middle class now finds themselves suffocated by financial pressure after losing their jobs, lamenting the harsh reality of middle-age unemployment.
The unemployment crisis in mainland China has now reached the middle class. Recently, there have been numerous reports of formerly high-paid middle-aged individuals losing their jobs and facing significant challenges finding new employment opportunities.
In a video posted by blogger “悠閒鉛筆” on February 20th, a heartbreaking story was shared about her family’s struggles. She expressed, “Do you know how devastating it is to be a middle-aged person facing unemployment? I have so much to say but it’s hard to put into words.”
She recounted, “My husband, a first-class construction engineer who used to be a vice president at his company, earning a monthly salary of 40,000 yuan. We managed to save up for a down payment and bought a 140-square-meter house in Zhengzhou. We took out a loan of 1.5 million, paying 8,000 every month. We thought we had a bright future ahead of us.”
She revealed that her 38-year-old husband had been unemployed for nearly six months now. He spends his days lounging on the sofa, scrolling through his phone, struggling to find a job. She shared the emotional turmoil they face daily, as companies are reluctant to hire him for a salary of over 25,000 yuan. Despite comforting him outwardly, she carries a heavy burden too, knowing the stress he is under.
She further mentioned that her husband mentioned considering becoming a ride-hailing driver or delivering food if he doesn’t find suitable work soon, just to bring in some income to support the family. This decision weighed heavily on her heart.
She sadly reflected on their past life as part of the middle class, enjoying a comfortable lifestyle. The dramatic transition to unemployment left her questioning how their lives took such a sudden turn. The pressure of potentially having to sell their house and move back to their hometown added to their distress. The reluctance to uproot from Zhengzhou, a place filled with their memories and traces of life, deepened their dilemma about the future.
In China, there is no official age range defining the middle class, but according to economic studies and market research, middle-class individuals generally fall between the ages of 25 to 55.
A blogger from Hebei, “趣知達人,” revealed that despite earning an annual salary of 300,000 yuan, he was unfortunately laid off at 30. After a month of unemployment, he sent out 63 resumes but received responses from only 8 companies. During an interview before the Chinese New Year, he faced age discrimination, being told that he was too old to be considered for an entry-level position.
In the job market in mainland China, there is a prevalent notion of the “35-year-old threshold,” particularly in industries such as internet, finance, state-owned enterprises, and government positions, where age restrictions are more pronounced. Even with strong professional abilities, finding employment beyond 35 can prove to be immensely challenging.
The “35-year-old threshold” has become even stricter in some sectors, moving the age limit to as early as 30, causing heightened anxiety among job seekers. Companies tend to prefer hiring fresh graduates as they require lower salaries and are more amenable to overtime work.
“趣知達人” shared that after his unemployment, he started working as a designated driver, earning 147 yuan on February 18th. He had just paid his child’s school fees and tutoring expenses last month. Yet, this month, he struggled to cover property fees and mortgage payments, deepening his financial strain. Despite wandering in the market at night, he found no success.
He mentioned that his wife never complained and took on part-time work to cope with the challenges. His days were now spent as a driver, often getting home in the early hours of the morning. His wife always left warm meals for him, though he knew she only ate an apple for dinner.
Excitedly, he shared an encounter with a headhunter while driving, who mentioned a job opportunity perfectly suited for him. Overwhelmed by this prospect, he prepared for an interview eagerly supported by his wife, who bought him a new shirt with the tag still attached, reassuring him that the purchase could be returned if the job offer didn’t come through.
The video shared by “趣知達人” garnered reactions from online netizens, with some sharing their own experiences and challenges.
A netizen from Sichuan, “Adouschen,” mentioned being a 40-year-old unemployed university graduate facing insurmountable age-related job hurdles, leading to early retirement.
Another such case was shared by a netizen from Guangdong, “餘波40620281,” who remained unemployed for over a year after losing their job at a major company, struggling to secure new employment.
In a video posted on February 19th by the blogger “小翼看世界,” a personal narrative was shared about a young woman born in 1999 in Northeast China, who graduated from the Photography Department of Hebei Media College. After relocating to Shanghai for almost four years, she expressed her deep sense of confusion and self-doubt due to the lack of substantial achievements, financial stability, and the current challenging job market that led to her unemployment, leaving her in a state of profound uncertainty.
Another blogger from Guangdong, “傑,” highlighted the widespread closure of businesses across China, resulting in a surge of unemployment incidents.
According to the data from the Chinese National Bureau of Statistics in December 2024, the national urban unemployment rate in China was 5.1%, with the youth unemployment rate (excluding students) aged 16 to 24 standing at 15.7%. The unemployment rate for individuals aged 25 to 29 was 6.6%, while for those aged 30 to 59, it was 3.9%.
Official statistics have faced scrutiny, with numerous individuals expressing the challenges of job hunting on mainland China’s social media platforms and forums. Many shared their struggles with continued unemployment even after a year of searching for work.
Feedback from social media platforms indicates a widespread issue of middle-aged individuals encountering significant challenges in seeking new job opportunities, particularly in the internet, finance, and real estate sectors. While official data suggests a national unemployment rate of around 5.1%, the actual situation for middle-aged individuals seems far more severe than the figures suggest.