Curse of 35: Jobseekers above that age unwelcome in China
What's the story
There's quite a stir in China about something called the "curse of 35," and it is widely discussed in the country. Employers don't want to hire workers who are 35 years old or older. Some job listings explicitly state: "No entry for anyone over 35!" This creates obstacles in both career growth and major life decisions like marriage, having children, and buying a house.
Curse of 35
Curse of 35 is due to China's post-pandemic economic conditions
Known as the infamous curse of 35, this phenomenon has gained significant attention in China due to the country's post-pandemic economic conditions, as reported by the New York Times (NYT). The exact origin and validity of the curse are still unclear, but the prevailing weak job market has fueled the rise of age discrimination in the country. Surprisingly, such discrimination is not illegal.
Declining hiring
Top companies hired fewer workers this year
As reported by NYT, the financial filings of China's top three business giants, Alibaba, Tencent, and Baidu, reveal a concerning trend. In the first three months of 2023, these companies collectively employed approximately nine percent fewer workers compared to the peak of the pandemic. In 2022, China's top real estate developers slashed their workforce by 30, 50 or even 70%.
Information
The domino effect
The repercussions of the declining job market extend beyond employment itself. It also creates a domino effect on people's major life decisions such as getting married, starting a family, and buying a house.
Marriage prospects
Marriage registrations have significantly dropped
In 2022, marriage registrations in China dropped by 10.5% compared to the previous year. This was the lowest number of weddings since 1986 when they started keeping track. The country's birthrate also hit a record low last year, and its population experienced a decline for the first time since 1961, the end of the Great Famine.
Anecdote
'Age 35 is like a plague'
At the young age of 30, Flynn Fan began dreading the age of 35, believing he might be "passed over for work in a few years." Unfortunately, in late 2022, he and most of his colleagues were laid off from an artificial intelligence company in a major job cut. He expressed to NYT that for society age 35 is like a "plague."
Another worker
32-year-old told she was 'too old' to work
Another worker, Cici Zhang, aged 32, faced age discrimination when her company told her she was "too old." She shared a job posting with NYT that had an age restriction of 32 for a position in a firm that provides pregnancy items. Despite undergoing three months of training, one of her former bosses openly expressed the possibility of replacing her with a recent graduate.
Unmotivated
'I just want to survive': Zhang
Zhang says that Chinese companies don't prioritize experience because their focus is on chasing current trends rather than refining their offerings. Unfortunately, she was laid off last September. After a grueling nine-month search, she finally secured a job. "I used to have expectations. I wanted promotions, pay raises and a better life. Now I have none. I just want to survive," says the woman.
Liang
38-year-old techie uncertain about giving his children good life
Mr. Liang, a 38-year-old tech professional, expressed a similar sentiment. Although he has a fondness for children, he doubts his ability to provide them with a good life. Growing up in rural areas like many other Chinese individuals, he was raised by his grandparents while his parents worked in the cities. He doesn't want his own children to experience the same upbringing.