As China's youth unemployment rate surpasses 14%, many young adults are opting for a unique solution—paying to work in faux office settings. These spaces serve not only as work environments but also as social hubs where individuals can job hunt and gain a sense of dignity while they navigate a difficult job market.
"Pretending to Work: The Rise of China's Faux Office Trend Among Jobless Youth"
"Pretending to Work: The Rise of China's Faux Office Trend Among Jobless Youth"
In response to China's high youth unemployment, young adults are paying to work in mock office environments, seeking both community and a semblance of productivity.
In the face of a stagnant economy and daunting job prospects, a growing trend has taken root among unemployed young adults in China: paying to occupy mock office spaces. These arrangements provide them not only with the illusion of gainful employment but also a sense of community amidst high youth unemployment, which currently stands above 14%.
In Dongguan, a city located approximately 114 kilometers (71 miles) from Hong Kong, 30-year-old Shui Zhou has adopted this unconventional approach since the failure of his food business in 2024. He pays a daily fee of 30 yuan (around $4.20) to access the offices offered by a business called Pretend To Work Company. Zhou and his five fellow “colleagues” enjoy returning to work daily, and he expresses his happiness in the camaraderie within shared spaces. "It's like we're working together as a group," Zhou states.
Such faux office offerings have emerged in major cities across China like Shenzhen, Shanghai, and Wuhan, essentially resembling professional work environments complete with computers and amenities. Participants are not merely sitting idle; they can use the facilities to search for jobs or to develop their own entrepreneurial ventures. Daily costs typically range from 30 to 50 yuan, often including snacks or meals.
Dr. Christian Yao from Victoria University of Wellington indicates that this trend reflects the challenges faced by young adults as they transition in an evolving economy, noting that “pretend office companies are one of the transitional solutions.” For many, these spaces serve dual purposes—providing a physical location to work, alongside a form of respectability in the eyes of parents or institutions.
23-year-old Xiaowen Tang, who rented a desk in Shanghai, took advantage of the environment to fulfill an unofficial requirement from her university to secure employment evidence less than a year after graduation. Her “internship” consisted of writing online novels while posing as a diligent employee.
According to Dr. Biao Xiang, director of the Max Planck Institute for Social Anthropology, this strategy reflects a deeper sentiment of frustration and powerlessness against the backdrop of a dismal job market.
The business owner in Dongguan, who goes by the pseudonym Feiyu, emphasizes that he offers more than just office space; he provides the dignity of appearing productive. Having faced his own employment struggles, he founded the Pretend To Work Company in April after struggling with unemployment due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Memorable for its rapid response to demand, this company illustrates the social experimentation occurring in response to perceived inadequacies in China's employment landscape.
Feiyu claims that around 40% of customers are recent graduates needing to report internship experience to their universities, while a significant number are freelancers operating within a gig economy.
While the business has flourished temporarily, Feiyu expresses concern over its long-term sustainability, viewing it as a social experiment to address deeper societal issues. He reflects, "It uses lies to maintain respectability but allows some people to find the truth." Zhou,who is now focusing on improving his skills, particularly in AI, is part of this delicate balancing act between navigating current challenges while seeking a more stable future.
