The Chinese dream once followed a simple formula: move to a big city, work hard, and buy a home. That model, once a reliable engine of progress in China, is breaking down after the collapse of the housing market in 2021, which set off an ongoing economic downturn.
Today, many workers are opting out of the old system and finding new careers in China’s digital gig economy — and in the process, redefining what work looks like.
The New York Times profiled some of these workers: a mother helping people navigate China’s bureaucratic hospital system; a lifestyle influencer who drives from city to city scouting the most affordable places to live; and a former retail manager who quit her office job to become a licensed electrician.
Their stories reflect some of the larger forces reshaping China’s economy. Across the country, young people are struggling to find the kind of lucrative office jobs that were once common after college, and some are rejecting the pressure to pursue prosperity at all costs, and instead choosing to do as little as possible. Meanwhile, China’s population is growing older, and blue-collar jobs are becoming increasingly attractive.
These shifts are playing out in surprising ways because of the Chinese internet. With a smartphone and social media, workers across the country are tapping into online trends and investing in themselves, creating a new generation of digital entrepreneurs who are making money and building careers on their own terms.
Jessica Wang: Hospital Companion
As China’s aging population navigates a complex public hospital system, a new industry of gig workers is stepping in to help.
Tom Jia: ‘Lying Flat’ Influencer
For many young Chinese, the relentless pressure to succeed has given way to a new philosophy: “lying flat,” or doing the bare minimum.
Ray Hou: Electrician at ‘Repair Sisters’
An all-female repair business is challenging gender norms and catering to a growing population of single Chinese women seeking safety and comfort at home.