China's "Pretend to Work" Culture: Desperation or Opportunity?

As China grapples with its youth unemployment crisis, with the rate remaining above 14%, a peculiar trend has emerged in major cities - young adults paying companies for the chance to sit in fully equipped offices while pretending to have a job. For 30 yuan (Rs.365) a day, individuals like Shui Zhou, 30, share an office with others, doing their own projects and meeting in a space that has improved their self-discipline and provided a sense of camaraderie. These "pretend offices" have become a transitional solution for many, offering a space to think, hunt for jobs, or work on freelance projects without the pressure of a real work environment.

Key Takeaways:

• Over 14% of China's youth unemployment rate has led to a rise in "pretend to work" companies, where individuals pay to sit in fully equipped offices, often with others.
• Daily fees at such facilities range from 30 to 50 yuan, sometimes including lunch, snacks, and drinks.
• These companies provide a space for young adults to think, hunt for jobs, work on freelance projects, or try launching start-ups.
• Some individuals use these fake offices to pretend to their families that they are gainfully employed, while others use the space to write online novels or work on other projects.
• The concept of "pretend to work" companies is gaining traction in cities like Shenzhen, Shanghai, Nanjing, Wuhan, Chengdu, and Kunming.
• The owner of Pretend To Work Company, Feiyu, was motivated by his own experience of being unemployed after his retail business shut during the Covid pandemic.

Statistics:

• China's youth unemployment rate remains above 14%.
• Daily fees at pretend office companies range from 30 to 50 yuan.
• Over 14% of women in China aged 15-24 are unemployed.

Sources:

• BBC report
• HT Digital Content Services
• Victoria University of Wellington's School of Management, Dr Christian Yao