WEAKNESSES IN THE EDUCATION SYSTEM
Despite rapid expansion in higher education, a disconnect exists between university curricula and job market needs.
Programmes often favour theory over practical skills, leaving graduates ill-equipped for work. For example, engineering students might focus on equations and theories but miss out on real-world applications such as internships.
Additionally, the market faces a glut of overqualified candidates, especially in the technology, finance and healthcare sectors. This imbalance drives many towards further studies.
In 2023, a total of 4.74 million students took the postgraduate entrance exam, a staggering 135 per cent increase on the 2.01 million test-takers in 2017. This cycle exacerbates youth unemployment and underemployment.
THE WIDER IMPACT
The ripple effect of China’s youth unemployment crisis is not to be underestimated. Drawing on warnings from UNICEF, high unemployment rates can lead to civil unrest, especially in nations with a large youth population.
The Chinese Communist Party has long maintained its authoritarian approach by securing a social licence based on economic stability and prosperity.
If rising youth unemployment erodes this licence by fostering political disengagement or radicalisation, China could experience a significant internal power shift.
In a globally connected world, such turmoil could spill over into international relations. Civic unrest can make a country less stable and thus less attractive to foreign investment, especially among nations with close economic ties to China.
Such an internal upheaval also threatens to destabilise supply chains globally, given China’s pivotal role in global supply chains.
Historical examples such as the Arab Spring and Brexit show internal dissatisfaction and social unrest can have ripple effects on a country’s international relations.
The Arab Spring led to the overthrow of multiple governments, created regional instability, influenced global oil prices, and necessitated the resetting of foreign policy by Western countries.
Similarly, Brexit impacted global trade agreements, led to political realignment, and caused the European Union to reconsider its future direction, affecting its collective foreign policy.
While youth unemployment is a global dilemma, the extent of the problem in China and its potential broader impact on interconnected economies means we can’t afford to ignore it.
Source: CNA
