by Patrick Body

China’s employment transition: Adapting to a new phase of growth

September 28, 2025

As China’s economy evolves, employment patterns are changing—creating both challenges and new opportunities

https://english.ckgsb.edu.cn/knowledge/article/chinas-employment-crossroads-navigating-structural-shifts-in-a-changing-economy/

“Each year, the top two career choices have increasingly become either civil service jobs or working at an SOE,” says Jenny Chan, Associate Professor of Sociology at the Hong Kong Polytechnic University. “Applicants are looking towards stability and security, and there is a much greater sense of anxiety related to the importance of getting these jobs.”

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Price wars between delivery companies is a particularly pertinent issue, as they have been driving down the amount of money it is possible to earn from deliveries. China’s market regulatory in July summoned delivery giants Alibaba, Meituan and JD.com to a meeting as part of its measures to address the issue

“We do see a high influx of both men and women, old and young, into the gig economy,” says Chan. “It looks like the total quantity of orders they get has been increasing over the last few years, but on average, even if they are delivering more, the delivery fees have been going down, so it is harder to make a good salary.”