The Rise of "Pretend Work" Among China's Youth Amid Economic Struggles

As youth unemployment in China surpasses 14%, many young adults are opting to pay for a workspace in mock offices, allowing them to feel productive and engaged while searching for actual employment. This phenomenon reflects broader economic concerns and highlights the psychological need for community among the jobless.

In China, a notable trend has emerged among unemployed young adults: paying to "pretend to work." With youth unemployment rates exceeding 14% amid a sluggish job market, many are turning to mock offices where they can simulate a work environment. Shui Zhou, a 30-year-old entrepreneur with a failed food business, has been using such services for over three months, believing that the office setting enhances his self-discipline. He pays 30 yuan (approximately $4.20) daily to spend time at a "Pretend To Work Company" in Dongguan, sharing the space with others who are in similar situations.

These pretend offices, rapidly appearing in major Chinese cities like Shanghai and Shenzhen, provide the necessary equipment like computers and internet connectivity, enabling attendees to job hunt or work on personal projects. Dr. Christian Yao from Victoria University highlights that these spaces serve as transitional solutions that allow young people to contemplate future career paths while tackling the frustrations stemming from economic shifts and educational mismatches.

For many participants, creating a façade of being employed helps soften parental concerns about their job prospects. Xiaowen Tang, a recent university graduate, utilized such a center in Shanghai to fulfill her university’s requirement to prove engagement in work. Despite paying for the office space, she used her time to write online novels—an unconventional way to earn money, albeit indirectly related to her academic requirements.

The concept is also a reflection of a deep-rooted frustration towards the job market, as noted by Dr. Biao Xiang from the Max Planck Institute for Social Anthropology. He suggests that “pretending to work” creates a buffer between young adults and the pressures of mainstream society. The owner of a Dongguan office, operating under the pseudonym Feiyu, understands this motivation all too well, having faced unemployment as well. He aims to provide his clients not just a workstation, but a sense of dignity, distancing themselves from feelings of inadequacy that accompany joblessness.

While the venture may seem unsustainable, Feiyu views it as a social experiment, acknowledging the need for honesty in the long term. He emphasizes the importance of guiding clients from false pretenses toward genuine productivity and employment opportunities. As these young adults adapt, many, like Zhou, are honing new skills like AI proficiency, hoping to increase their chances of actual employment. This creative trend underlines the psychological and financial consequences of economic instability, igniting discussions on the future of work and the societal implications of pretending to be busy.