World & BusinessChina’s record university graduating class reportedly faces plunging demand
The Economist reports that 12.7 million people graduated from university in China in 2026, nearly 500,000 more than in 2025.
TLDR
The Economist reports that demand for China’s young university graduates has plummeted, even as the 2026 graduating class reached a record 12.7 million people. Its report also describes some young people pretending to work to keep up appearances.
China’s record university graduating class reportedly faces plunging demand
The Economist reports that 12.7 million people graduated from university in China in 2026, nearly 500,000 more than in 2025.
TLDR
The Economist reports that demand for China’s young university graduates has plummeted, even as the 2026 graduating class reached a record 12.7 million people. Its report also describes some young people pretending to work to keep up appearances.