SHENZHEN, China – As the Chinese New Year approaches, many young people in China are rethinking their plans to travel home for the annual festival. The Lunar New Year is typically a time when millions of internal migrants make the journey to be with their families. However, this year, economic challenges and social pressures are causing some to reconsider.
For Yuwen, a 33-year-old who has been unemployed for over six months, the thought of facing relatives and the scrutiny of his job situation is causing him dread. This sentiment is shared by many others, as the Chinese economy struggles to regain its pre-COVID momentum, and the real estate market faces significant challenges.
The crackdown on private enterprises by the Chinese government has left many young people like Yuwen jobless and uncertain about their future. This has led to a decline in confidence about the Chinese leadership’s ability to prioritize economic growth, particularly as relations with the West continue to deteriorate.
The economic hardship is not the only reason some are choosing to forego the traditional reunion with their families. Some single women, like Xiaoba, are avoiding the pressure to get married and start a family. This reflects a broader trend of declining marriage rates and a reluctance to have children, posing concerns about the future workforce in China.
While Lunar New Year is traditionally a time for family gatherings, these personal and economic challenges are reshaping the way some young people in China are approaching the festival. As they grapple with their circumstances, the hope for a better future remains a driving force, even as economic uncertainty looms on the horizon.