Young Chinese Adults Pay to Pretend to Work Amid High Unemployment

As youth unemployment in China remains critically high, many young adults are resorting to a unique solution: paying for mock office space through companies that offer a semblance of a work environment. This trend highlights the challenges facing recent graduates and the broader implications of the country's economic situation.

In the face of a sluggish economy and soaring youth unemployment rates exceeding 14%, a new trend has emerged among young adults in China: paying to pretend to work. This phenomenon has prompted several companies to offer mock offices, allowing individuals to occupy a workplace environment without securing a traditional job.

For some, such as 30-year-old Shui Zhou from Dongguan, the allure of paying a daily fee of 30 yuan (approximately $4.20) to access an office has become a valuable respite from the isolation of joblessness. Zhou, who faced the failure of his food business venture in 2024, finds camaraderie in a space filled with others sharing similar circumstances. “I feel very happy,” he remarks, noting that the environment enables a sense of community among participants, where they collaborate on job searches or entrepreneurial endeavors.

The trend has gained traction in major cities like Shenzhen, Shanghai, and Wuhan, as these outfitted spaces mimic conventional offices with amenities including computers, meeting rooms, and even refreshments. Participants pay a small daily fee to not only work on their job prospects but also to create a social network. By engaging in this 'pretend work', young adults like Zhou experience improved self-discipline and a more favorable self-image, a crucial factor to navigate the societal pressure surrounding employment.

Administrative trends in educational institutions are influencing this behavior. For instance, some universities in China require students to secure internships or employment contracts within a year of graduation. Xiaowen Tang, a 23-year-old who has yet to find a full-time job, resorted to renting a workstation to satisfy her university's demands. “If you’re going to fake it, just fake it to the end,” she quips, capturing the essence of her situation.

Experts identify this developing trend as a symptom of frustration and disconnection experienced by young adults amidst economic hardships. Dr. Biao Xiang of the Max Planck Institute emphasizes that these mock office experiences help alleviate the burden of societal expectations while providing a temporary shelter from unemployment.

Feiyu, a 30-year-old entrepreneur who founded the Pretend To Work Company in Dongguan, recognizes the role his business plays in preserving dignity for young job seekers. Having felt the sting of unemployment himself, he views the service as a means of maintaining a sense of purpose. Interest in these facilities is high, with about 40% of clients being recent university graduates seeking to document their time as ‘interns’ to reassure their families or educational institutions.

While the long-term viability of such operations remains uncertain, Feiyu considers them a social experiment, facilitating individuals to transition from “acting” to real employment opportunities. Zhou himself is determined to leverage his downtime productively, focusing on acquiring AI skills that he believes will enhance his employability in an evolving job market.

Ultimately, the "pretend to work" movement exemplifies the resilience and adaptability of China’s youth, navigating the complexities of a constrained job market while seeking to retain their dignity in challenging circumstances.