China’s Youth Rebellion: Why Hard Work Doesn’t Pay Anymore
Executive Summary
China used to believe that hard work always leads to success. Now, young people think family connections matter more than effort. This significant change started around 2016 and is now everywhere.
A 2023 study showed people no longer trust the system that says to study hard and work hard to get rich. Instead, they do “lying flat” or “let it rot”—just doing the minimum to get by. This article looks at why this happened, what’s going on now, and what might come next.
Introduction
Ten years ago, every Chinese kid knew the rule: study hard, work hard, get rich. Parents pushed it. Schools taught it. The government said it. This idea, called “meritocracy” or youji zhuyi, was like a religion in China. But things changed. Around 2016, tired workers started complaining about crazy hours—like 9am to 9pm, 6 days a week, called 996.
Then came “lying flat” (tangping) in 2021. Young people said, why kill yourself for nothing? Now in 2026, it’s normal. A big 2023 survey found that most people think wealthy parents or friends get you ahead, not your smarts or work. This significant mood change is shaking China.
History and Current Status
After 1978, China changed quickly.
Deng Xiaoping let people start businesses. Farmers moved to cities for jobs. The gaokao test lets smart, poor kids go to college. Hard work paid off—people got rich quickly.
By 2010, everyone believed effort wins.
But around 2012, Xi Jinping changed things. He cracked down on big tech and tutors. Growth slowed.
In 2026, young people aged 16-24 had an unemployment rate of 16.5%.
That’s millions of college grads driving delivery bikes. House prices crashed. Jobs are hard. Many move to small towns for an easy life—open cafes, no stress. They call it “slow life.”
Key Developments
Big moments show the change.
2016: Tech workers hate 996.
2021: Tangping goes viral—one guy posts “I’m lying flat, no wife, no kid, happy.” The government deletes it, but it's too late.
2022: COVID lockdowns make everyone tired. “Let it rot,” or Bailan starts—don’t even try.
2023: Survey shows connections beat hard work. 2024: Grads go to vocational school.
2025: “Rat people” trend—burnt-out city workers quit for villages. Xi says work hard, but kids ignore it.
Now 2026: Unemployment down a bit, but mood stays low.
Example: Li from Shanghai, college grad, now sells coffee in a small town in Yunnan. “No more rat race.”
Latest Facts and Concerns
Now: Youth jobless 16.5% December 2025. 12 million new grads yearly. Houses are not selling, and prices are down.
Economy grows slowly, 4-5%. Worries: No kids—birth rate super low. No workers later. Economy stuck.
The government pushes jobs, but kids want balance. Fights between old “work hard” and young “why bother.” The trade war with the US hurts jobs. AI takes work like Japan—older adults, no growth.
Cause-and-Effect Analysis
Why? Growth slowed—too many grads, few good jobs. Rich kids get ahead with connections. Hard work, no payoff. Like running on a treadmill. Effect: Kids lie flat. No buy house, no marry, no kids. Economy slower. Government mad—wants growth. But censoring makes it worse. Example: Wang works 996, still poor rent. Quits, happy now.
Future Steps
Fix: More training for real jobs. Less 996 laws. Help buy houses cheaply. Praise slow life as okay. Use AI smart. Have kids with money help. Or China, like Japan, is stuck in the old.
Conclusion
China’s mood changed from “work wins” to “chill out.” Big survey shows it. Need fix or problems grow.
