"Job Market Slump Forces Chinese Graduates Back to Hometowns"

A significant number of Chinese graduates are returning to their hometowns within six months of graduation due to a struggling job market and rising housing costs. The youth jobless rate in China reached a record 21.3% in June, with limited job offers and regulatory clampdowns affecting various sectors. Around 47% of graduates returned home within six months of graduation in 2022, up from 43% in 2018. The trend is driven by economic challenges and high rents, with some graduates resorting to sharing beds with strangers to cut costs. However, some graduates are still determined to find employment in major cities despite the difficulties.