China, once a land of rapid economic growth and opportunity, is now witnessing an alarming trend: millions of overqualified youth taking on jobs far below their qualifications. The country, churning out millions of university graduates each year, is experiencing a mismatch between the skills of its youth and the available job market. In a struggling economy, a master’s degree holder in finance works as a waiter, a PhD graduate applies to be an auxiliary police officer, and an engineering graduate fills in as a bodyguard in a film production.
For many young people like Sun Zhan, 25, a master’s graduate in finance, the dream of landing a high-paying investment banking job has turned into the harsh reality of waiting tables in Nanjing. The job market, hit hard by economic slowdowns in sectors like real estate and manufacturing, has failed to accommodate the influx of new graduates. This has led to youth unemployment rates hovering at 16.1% in November 2024.
Wu Dan, another graduate with a finance background, took a job in sports medicine after failing to find work in her field. Despite her family’s disapproval, she has found satisfaction in this unexpected career change. “I feel that a life in investment banking doesn’t suit me,” she admits. Yet, even with this shift, the financial strain is evident, as her low salary in Shanghai would not be sustainable without her partner’s support.
The lack of job opportunities has pushed many young graduates to explore unconventional paths, including working as extras in China’s bustling film industry. In Hengdian, a film town near Shanghai, young graduates like Wu Xinghai take up temporary roles as extras in big-budget films, despite their qualifications. They view it as a stopgap while searching for a permanent job.
This trend has raised concerns among young people, who are unsure of what their future holds. “The future is unclear,” says Wu Dan, reflecting the widespread uncertainty among her peers. As China’s economy continues to falter, the overqualified youth find themselves caught in a cycle of frustration and adjustment, with little assurance of a prosperous future ahead.
