University students looking for jobs at a fair in Hangzhou, China. According to CNBC analysis of state media reports, 7.7 million people took the civil service exam in the 2023 application round, vying for more than 200,000 government jobs at the national and provincial level.
Qilai Shen | Corbis Historical | Getty Images
A record number of people in China took the civil service exam this year, as unemployment among young people soared.
According to CNBC analysis of state media reports, 7.7 million people took the civil service exam in the 2023 application round, vying for more than 200,000 government jobs at the national and provincial level.
Government jobs are typically regarded as stable and prestigious in China. GDP growth has slowed from its rapid pace of the past decades.
The interest in government jobs comes as Xi Jinping last week cemented his position as China’s leader for an unprecedented third term.
Xi sees unity under the ruling Chinese Communist Party as essential for building up the country. That’s meant the party has and is set to increase its presence in the economy, including among businesses that are not state-owned.
Studying “Xi thought” is a growing requirement for schools in China.
For millions of people who want a government job, they must take China’s civil service exam — which starts with questions on Xi’s report to the party’s congress and Xi thought in a multiple-choice section.
Here’s a sample question, from Gongkaotong, which sells test preparation questions for the civil service exam:
Xi Jinping’s thought on economy is an important part of Xi Jinping’s thought on socialism with Chinese characteristics in the new era. Regarding Xi Jinping’s thought on economy, how many of the following statements are correct?
① Entering a new development stage is a historical orientation of China’s economic development
② Promoting high-quality development is a distinct theme of China’s economic development
③Adhering to the new concept of development is…
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