Weak Chinese Job Market Drives Interest in Stable Government and Military Careers

China’s difficult job market is being linked to stronger recruitment by the People’s Liberation Army, which has reportedly attracted a better pool of talent, including graduates of top universities. Interest in the Chinese civil-service exam has also risen consistently over time.

Youth unemployment was described as having reached about 25% three or four years ago, after which the Chinese government stopped reporting the figure. Police and military jobs are not highly paid, but their stability may be drawing applicants; it remains unclear whether anyone is being forced into those roles.