China's 12.7 Million Graduates Face Shrinking Jobs as AI Reshapes Entry-Level Hiring
Updated
Updated · The New York Times · Sep 6
China's 12.7 Million Graduates Face Shrinking Jobs as AI Reshapes Entry-Level Hiring
1 articles · Updated · The New York Times · Sep 6
Summary
An estimated 12.7 million new graduates are entering China’s workforce this year into an oversaturated market where entry-level openings are already scarce and AI is adding a new layer of pressure.
Job listings increasingly demand AI skills while traditional junior roles are thinning, as tasks once handled by several entry-level workers can now be done quickly with AI tools.
Jin Shangyu, 26, said she applied for about 150 internships and entry-level jobs in Hong Kong and mainland China after earning a master’s degree, then paid $400 for an AI course that still did not improve her prospects.
China’s rapid AI adoption—backed by government support and broad public enthusiasm—has intensified fears among young job seekers, especially with youth unemployment still stubbornly high in a sluggish economy.