China's 2025 Civil Service Exam Sees Record 3.4 Million Applicants as Youth Seek Stability Amid High Unemployment

Record-Breaking Numbers Register for China's 2025 Civil Service Exam Amid Youth Unemployment Woes

On December 1, 2024, China conducted its annual civil service entrance examination, known as the “Guokao,” for recruiting government workers. This year, a record-breaking 3.4 million candidates registered to take the exam, competing for a limited 39,700 positions. The surge in applications marks an all-time high, highlighting growing interest in government jobs amid persistently high youth unemployment rates exceeding 17% for four consecutive months. The written portion of the exam was held in two parts, with an Administrative Aptitude Test in the morning and a Discussion Essay in the afternoon.

The 2025 Guokao is particularly noteworthy for its emphasis on recent college graduates. Around 70% of the recruitment quota—about 26,700 positions—is dedicated to fresh university graduates, demonstrating the government's intention to curb rising youth unemployment by facilitating entry-level opportunities in public service. Most of the available roles are at the county level or lower, underscoring the government's efforts to direct talent to grassroots institutions and challenging regions, aiming to strengthen local governance and economic resilience.

Key Takeaways

• A staggering 3.4 million candidates are competing for 39,700 government positions, yielding an average ratio of 86 applicants for each opening.
• Nearly 70% of the available roles are exclusively reserved for fresh graduates from higher education institutions, with a significant number of these roles located in county-level and remote areas.
• The sharp increase in applicants reflects mounting concerns about youth unemployment in China, which has hovered above 17% for four consecutive months, underscoring the challenging job market conditions for those aged 16 to 24.

Deep Analysis

This year's Guokao registration numbers are emblematic of both hope and desperation. The increase of roughly 400,000 applicants from the previous year illustrates a trend among young people in China turning towards the stability that government jobs offer, especially in times of economic uncertainty. With youth unemployment still topping 17% as of October 2024, and the job market becoming increasingly competitive, civil service positions—which are known for providing steady income, job security, and social benefits—have become highly sought after.

The increase in government job openings allocated specifically to recent graduates further underscores the urgency felt by policymakers. By reserving positions for those fresh out of universities, the government is directly responding to the pressures of a challenging employment landscape. The Chinese government aims to channel educated youth into grassroots areas, which are often short on skilled workers. This policy not only supports the graduates themselves but also contributes to the growth and modernization of China's rural economy.

Despite these efforts, the path to securing a government position is exceptionally challenging. The competition is fierce, with some of the most coveted positions attracting over 10,000 applicants per role. For example, a position in the Liaison Office at the China Vocational Education Society has an applicant-to-position ratio of 11,889 to 1, due to the broad qualifications and attractive career prospects it offers.

However, not all positions are in high demand. Nearly 300 roles remain unfilled, largely due to demanding job conditions or strict requirements, such as limitations on political background, gender, or mandatory grassroots experience. Experts like Liu Youzhen from Huatu Education have pointed out that jobs involving tough working environments or restrictive entry conditions naturally tend to see fewer applicants, leading to an uneven distribution of interest across available roles.

Looking forward, candidates who pass the written exams will need to prepare for interviews, which will take place after the announcement of test results in January 2025. Positions that fail to meet recruitment goals will be reopened for adjustments, often leading to a reshuffle of candidates among less popular roles. Interview performance will be a key determinant of success, with final scores weighted between the written exam and interview performance.

Did You Know?

• Historical Rise in Reserved Positions: The share of civil service roles allocated for fresh graduates has increased significantly in recent years—rising from 39.17% in 2019 to over 70% in 2025. This dramatic change is part of a broader policy push to address the unemployment crisis among young people.
• Local Focus: Around 70% of the new hires are aimed at county-level or lower government offices, especially those in challenging or rural areas. These positions often involve flexibility in terms of education and experience requirements to ensure these regions receive the support they need.
• Recruitment Campaigns: The Ministry of Education has launched an aggressive employment campaign for 2025 graduates, with over 40 recruitment events scheduled to connect graduates with job opportunities, aiming to ease the current employment pressures.

This record surge in civil service exam applications sheds light on the broader economic and social challenges facing China’s youth today. It not only underscores the fierce competition for stable jobs in an uncertain economy but also highlights the government’s efforts to alleviate unemployment through targeted policy interventions. As graduates navigate this competitive environment, the evolving landscape of China’s job market continues to demonstrate the balancing act between opportunity and demand.