Addressing Graduate Employment Challenges in China: Structural Factors, Skill Mismatches, and Policy Solutions
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.54097/4py2qe33Keywords:
Graduate Employment, Structural Factors, Skill Mismatches, Policy SolutionsAbstract
The persistently low employment rate among recent university graduates has become a critical socioeconomic issue in modern China. Understanding these factors comprehensively is essential for China’s long-term social stability and economic development. If educated graduates cannot successfully enter the workforce, it may result in lower innovation, reduced productivity, and greater socioeconomic inequalities in the future. Effective policies and strategies can then be developed to improve graduate employment rates. This essay analyzes the main reasons behind the employment challenges facing recent university graduates in China. It also discusses potential strategies and policies that could effectively address these employment issues. By exploring structural barriers and individual expectations affecting graduate employment, the essay aims to provide practical suggestions to help reduce graduate unemployment and enhance labor market efficiency in China.
Downloads
References
[1] Xiang, B., Wang, H., & Wang, H. 2023. Is There a Surplus of College Graduates in China? Exploring Strategies for Sustainable Employment of College Graduates. Sustainability 15(21), 15540. https://doi.org/10.3390/su152115540
[2] Qian, T., Bian, J., & Chen, J. 2023. The status quo, causes, and countermeasures of employment difficulties faced by college graduates in China. Labor History 65(4), 528–543. https://doi-org.manchester.idm.oclc.org/10.1080/0023656X.2023.2283065
[3] China Statistical Yearbook. 2023. National Bureau of Statistics, China. Stats.gov.cn. https://data.stats.gov.cn/search.htm?s=
[4] Cui, C., Wang, Y. & Wang, Q. 2022. The Interregional Migration of Human Capital: The Case of “First-Class” University Graduates in China. Appl. Spatial Analysis 15, 397–419. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12061-021-09401-7
[5] Mouratidis, K. 2021. Urban planning and quality of life: A review of pathways linking the built environment to subjective well-being. Cities 115. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cities.2021.103229
[6] Chen, X., & Xu, J. 2012. Graduates find first-tier cities still appealing - china - chinadaily.com.cn. Chinadaily.com.cn. https://www.chinadaily.com.cn/china/2012-09/18/content_15764042.htm
[7] Gandolfo, R. 2020. Job competition rises in china amid COVID-19. That’s Online. https://www.thatsmags.com/shanghai/post/30990/job-competition-soars-in-china-amid-covid-19
[8] Johnson-Watts, E. 2021. Competition for jobs and skills mismatch during the coronavirus pandemic | institute for fiscal studies. Institute for Fiscal Studies. https://ifs.org.uk/articles/competition-jobs-and-skills-mismatch-during-coronavirus-pandemic
[9] Tomlinson, M. Graduate Employability: A Review of Conceptual and Empirical Themes. High Educ Policy 25, 407–431. https://doi.org/10.1057/hep.2011.26
[10] Vecchi, M., Savic, M., & Romiti, M. 2021. Skill mismatch among graduates in the UK labour market. ESCoE. https://www.escoe.ac.uk/skill-mismatch-among-graduates-in-the-uk-labour-market/
[11] Cerulli-Harms, A. 2017. Generation internship: The impact of internships on early labour market performance. SSRN Electronic Journal. https://doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.3081396
[12] Wang Yueyun. 2020. Binjiang to Attract More Talents a Decade after ’5050 Plan’ Initiated - HangZhou News. Hangzhou.com.cn. https://en.hangzhou.com.cn/News/content/2020-05/14/content_7734409.htm
Downloads
Published
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2025 Highlights in Business, Economics and Management

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License.







