Why Chinese Students Are Taking Graduation Photos Reflecting Their Bleak Job Prospects

July 1, 2023

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Graduation Photos with a Twist

Chinese graduates are posting unconventional graduation photos on social media.
The photos depict a theme of “being more dead than alive.”
These images show graduates sprawled on the ground, slumped over chairs, and hanging listlessly.
These photos aim to reflect the challenging reality and limited job prospects faced by fresh graduates.

This summer, approximately 11.6 million college students are expected to enter the job market in China.
However, the prospects for these graduates are discouraging due to the high urban youth unemployment rate, which reached 20.8% in May.
The job market is under stress, with the slowing economy and a regulatory crackdown affecting sectors like tech and education.
These industries, which traditionally hire a large number of graduates, are facing challenges due to government policies and economic factors.

The increasing number of graduates has created a mismatch between their skills and the available job opportunities.
Some graduates worry that their degrees are becoming less valuable to employers.
As a result, many students pursue postgraduate degrees to gain a competitive edge.
China has witnessed a significant rise in the number of master’s and doctorate degrees awarded in the past decade.
However, even advanced degrees do not guarantee job prospects, as highlighted by the experiences of some graduates.

Despite the limited prospects, graduates use dark humor in their unconventional graduation photos to cope with the challenging odds.
These photos are seen as a way to celebrate graduation while acknowledging the exhaustion and discouragement experienced during their studies.
The trend reflects a departure from traditional graduation photos with books and bouquets, seen as less interesting by some.
The humor and relatability of these photos have resonated with many people, reflecting the mental state of graduate students.

China’s high youth unemployment rate poses significant challenges, with implications for the economy and social issues.
Youth contribute to various sectors of the economy, including rent, transportation, communication, and culture.
The rising youth unemployment could lead to reduced consumer spending and a weaker national economy.
The aging population and the delay in starting families further compound the problems associated with high youth unemployment.
Stagnating wages, limited upward mobility, unaffordable housing, and rising living costs contribute to the frustrations felt by young people.

Chinese authorities have attempted to address the pessimism and youth unemployment through financial incentives and other initiatives.
However, these efforts have had limited impact.
The flood of new graduates entering the job market is expected to increase the unemployment rate further.
The skills mismatch issue may gradually improve with appropriate policies, but significant short-term improvement is unlikely.
High youth unemployment is expected to persist for the next few years, creating challenges for millions of students entering the workforce.