Young Chinese workers drive rapid growth in flexible employment sector

13 articles · Updated · CNA · Apr 27

By Q3 2025, about 247 million people—30% of China's workforce—held flexible jobs, with over half under age 24.
This shift is fueled by a desire for autonomy, rejection of the '996' work culture, and digital opportunities, but brings trade-offs like unstable income and weaker social protections.
Authorities are expanding social security coverage and adapting regulations as flexible work becomes a lasting feature, reshaping China’s labour market and challenging traditional employment models.

Is China's gig economy a choice for freedom or a trap born from a lack of stable jobs?

If 80% of gig workers earn below median income, is this new economy sustainable for China?

Can China's new gig economy rules become a global model for protecting platform workers?

As millions of youth reject the '996' work culture, is China's 'iron rice bowl' officially broken?

With AI set to replace millions of jobs, can Beijing's new policies truly protect its workforce?