Alastair Mccready

China’s fast‑growing pool of graduates faces shrinking job opportunities as AI automation, rapid industrial transformation and cuts to humanities programmes widen the gap between skills and labour demand. A record 12.7 million new graduates are entering a slowing economy with subdued consumption, global tariff pressures and limited entry‑level roles. Universities have eliminated thousands of arts and humanities degrees in favour of tech‑focused programmes, yet many young people continue to struggle to secure stable work, leading to rising anxiety expressed on social media. Authorities have launched hiring initiatives and AI‑driven job creation plans, but analysts warn that structural issues will take time to resolve, leaving millions of young people turning to gig‑economy work with limited long‑term prospects.