<p>China is facing a major job&nbsp;crisis, and stealing the limelight is the so-called “Curse of 35”.&nbsp;</p>

<p>This mystifying phenomenon reveals the ordeal faced by employees in their career race. It basically means that as a person nears the age of 35, his or her career goes for a toss. But what makes this age so dire in China?&nbsp;</p>

<p>Chinese work culture has a structure that is age-woven and hierarchical, where seniors reign supreme. Ambitious youth crave more growth avenues, yet older counterparts claw at lofty roles. Thus, when one is at the brink of 35, a bottleneck brews, making it a nerve-wracking situation.&nbsp;</p>

<p>From an employer's perspective, there are various beliefs associated with individuals in this age bracket, such as their perceived reluctance to handle additional workload and work overtime. &nbsp;</p>

<p>Employers may need to allocate more resources to cater to the needs and entitlements of employees in this age group, considering that it is a crucial time when people make life decisions regarding marriage, having children, owning a house, and more,&nbsp;said&nbsp;<b>Dr Anand P Krishnan</b>, fellow, Centre for Himalayan Studies, Shiv Nadar Institution of Eminence, and visiting associate fellow at the Institute of Chinese Studies, Delhi.&nbsp;</p>

<p>However, there is another aspect that is often overlooked—the stringent regulations on formal <a href="https://www.wionews.com/business-economy/surging-youth-unemployment-casts-shadow-on-chinas-economic-outlook-605045">employment in China</a>. The Labour Contract Law implemented in 2008 imposes strict hiring guidelines, leading companies and employers to be cautious when considering the employment of individuals deemed "old." Consequently, this creates a precarious labour market where informal employment practices come into play, Krishnan told <strong>WION</strong>.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>Also watch |&nbsp;Gravitas: The curse of 35 hits Chinese people</strong></p>

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<h2><strong>A tougher situation for women&nbsp;</strong></h2>

<p>The Chinese government has traditionally played a paternalistic role in setting societal norms, particularly when it comes to women.&nbsp;</p>

<p>“There are several factors crucial to employment, especially for female employees,”<b>&nbsp;</b><strong>Dr Geeta Kochhar</strong>,&nbsp;assistant professor, Centre for Chinese and South Asian Studies, Jawaharlal Nehru University told <strong>WION</strong>.&nbsp;</p>

<p>“Firstly, young and dynamic women are preferred. Secondly, married women are seen as liabilities to the company. Thirdly, married women may face issues related to bearing and raising a child, which can result in them taking leave, and thus they are not preferred. Fourth, the company's image and relationship building require young and good-looking women. Lastly, since the enterprise requires long hours of work, they prefer young individuals who can undergo military-like training and travel with no constraints,” she pointed out.&nbsp;</p>

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<p><em><strong>Note: This is an immersive data chart. Please hover over the chart to get the figures.</strong></em></p>

<p>Additionally, China's birth rate is projected to have reached an unprecedented low of 1.09 in 2022.&nbsp;This statistic is expected to cause concern among authorities who are striving to counter the decline in the nation's birth rates. China's Population and Development Research Centre&nbsp;indicated that this places the country at the lowest fertility rate among nations with populations exceeding 100 million.</p>

<h2><b>No job, no marriage, no kids: A domino effect affecting birthrates</b>&nbsp;</h2>

<p>It's a tough situation for workers in their mid-30s who are making important decisions about their careers, marriage, and having children. They face a double whammy that makes things even more challenging.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>Also read |&nbsp;</strong><a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/data-lab-chinas-conundrum-falling-marriage-birth-rates-taking-its-economy-for-a-spin-604563">Data Lab | Chinese neither marrying nor having kids and it's Xi Jinping's new headache. Here's how</a></p>

<p>China’s marriage rates hit a record low in 2022, as the country grapples with a declining birth rate and population. &nbsp;</p>

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<p><em><strong>Note: This is an immersive data chart. Please hover over the chart to get the figures.</strong></em></p>

<p>According to the Ministry of Civil Affairs of China, the number of registered marriages in 2022 was 6.8 million, marking a significant 10.5 per cent decrease from the previous year's 7.63 million marriages. This represents the lowest figure recorded since 1986 when the Chinese government began documenting such statistics.&nbsp;</p>

<p>“Despite the Chinese Party-State removing the one-child norm, fewer parents are ready to bear more children. Rising costs in cities (especially the big ones like Beijing and Shanghai) are making parents rethink their options,” Dr Krishnan explains. &nbsp;</p>

<p>“In fact, even during the heights of the<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/covid-lockdowns-and-now-unemployment-108-millions-university-graduates-face-a-dark-future-in-china-491047"> pandemic and lockdowns</a>, the Party-state's paternalistic messaging to people to ‘utilise the time well and plan families’ did not find an echo among couples,” he adds.</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

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China is facing a major job crisis, and stealing the limelight is the so-called “Curse of 35”. This mystifying phenomenon reveals the ordeal faced by employees in their career race.

China is facing a major job crisis, and stealing the limelight is the so-called “Curse of 35”. This mystifying phenomenon reveals the ordeal faced by employees in their career race. It basically means that as a person nears the age of 35, his or her career goes for a toss. But what makes this age so dire in China? Chinese work culture has a structure that is age-woven and hierarchical, where seniors reign supreme. Ambitious youth crave more growth avenues, yet older counterparts claw at lofty roles. Thus, when one is at the brink of 35, a bottleneck brews, making it a nerve-wracking situation. From an employer's perspective, there are various beliefs associated with individuals in this age bracket, such as their perceived reluctance to handle additional workload and work overtime. Employers may need to allocate more resources to cater to the needs and entitlements of employees in this age group, considering that it is a crucial time when people make life decisions regarding marriage, having children, owning a house, and more, said Dr Anand P Krishnan, fellow, Centre for Himalayan Studies, Shiv Nadar Institution of Eminence, and visiting associate fellow at the Institute of Chinese Studies, Delhi. However, there is another aspect that is often overlooked—the stringent regulations on formal employment in China. The Labour Contract Law implemented in 2008 imposes strict hiring guidelines, leading companies and employers to be cautious when considering the employment of individuals deemed "old." Consequently, this creates a precarious labour market where informal employment practices come into play, Krishnan told WION. Also watch | Gravitas: The curse of 35 hits Chinese people A tougher situation for women The Chinese government has traditionally played a paternalistic role in setting societal norms, particularly when it comes to women. “There are several factors crucial to employment, especially for female employees,” Dr Geeta Kochhar, assistant professor, Centre for Chinese and South Asian Studies, Jawaharlal Nehru University told WION. “Firstly, young and dynamic women are preferred. Secondly, married women are seen as liabilities to the company. Thirdly, married women may face issues related to bearing and raising a child, which can result in them taking leave, and thus they are not preferred. Fourth, the company's image and relationship building require young and good-looking women. Lastly, since the enterprise requires long hours of work, they prefer young individuals who can undergo military-like training and travel with no constraints,” she pointed out. × Note: This is an immersive data chart. Please hover over the chart to get the figures. Additionally, China's birth rate is projected to have reached an unprecedented low of 1.09 in 2022. This statistic is expected to cause concern among authorities who are striving to counter the decline in the nation's birth rates. China's Population and Development Research Centre indicated that this places the country at the lowest fertility rate among nations with populations exceeding 100 million. No job, no marriage, no kids: A domino effect affecting birthrates It's a tough situation for workers in their mid-30s who are making important decisions about their careers, marriage, and having children. They face a double whammy that makes things even more challenging. Also read | Data Lab | Chinese neither marrying nor having kids and it's Xi Jinping's new headache. Here's how China’s marriage rates hit a record low in 2022, as the country grapples with a declining birth rate and population. × Note: This is an immersive data chart. Please hover over the chart to get the figures. According to the Ministry of Civil Affairs of China, the number of registered marriages in 2022 was 6.8 million, marking a significant 10.5 per cent decrease from the previous year's 7.63 million marriages. This represents the lowest figure recorded since 1986 when the Chinese government began documenting such statistics. “Despite the Chinese Party-State removing the one-child norm, fewer parents are ready to bear more children. Rising costs in cities (especially the big ones like Beijing and Shanghai) are making parents rethink their options,” Dr Krishnan explains. “In fact, even during the heights of the pandemic and lockdowns, the Party-state's paternalistic messaging to people to ‘utilise the time well and plan families’ did not find an echo among couples,” he adds. WATCH WION LIVE HERE:

Data Lab | China's job crisis and 'the curse of 35’: Why are people afraid of that age?

<p>Age may be "just" a number for the world, but in China, for those over 35, it can become the basis for "discrimination" and rejection from jobs and even hostels.</p>

<p>Recently, taking to Xiaohongshu, a social media platform that has been described as "China's answer to Instagram" a consumer complained about hostels rejecting bookings from those in their late 30s. This has sparked a debate on China's "35-year-old crisis", with some labelling this discrimination towards a particular age demographic. However, others are of the opinion that this is justified. Here's all you need to know.</p>

<h2><strong>A dearth of hostels</strong></h2>

<p>In a now-viral post, a user complained that many youth hostels in the Chinese capital Beijing are refusing accommodation to customers over 35 years of age. The user alleged that he faced quite a struggle looking for hostels without such restrictions.</p>

<p>Apparently, he was informed of the age restriction over the phone and hostel owners defended this constraint, citing safety concerns.</p>

<p><strong>Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/an-nyu-professor-thinks-donald-trump-will-quit-presidential-race-heres-why-617128">An NYU professor thinks Donald Trump will quit presidential race. Here's why</a></strong></p>

<p>He claims that the hostel owner told him that "it is unsafe for older people to get in and out of bed and is prone to accidents."</p>

<p>In frustration, the user asked netizens, "I am getting close (to 35 years old) but I can still do 50 pushups, run five kilometres, and jump over a two-meter wall. What's the danger?"</p>

<h2><strong>Safety, peace and more</strong></h2>

<p>Sixth Tone, which does extensive coverage of all things China, reports that a search across major online travel-based platforms reveals that many youth hostels in Beijing now impose an age restriction.</p>

<p>Reportedly, many of them have set the age requirement between 18 and 40 years. Additionally, some have raised this restriction and cater to people till the ages of 45 to 50, but many have drawn the line at 35 years.</p>

<p>And it's not just the capital Beijing. Similar restrictions are in place in other major Chinese cities, including Shanghai, Hangzhou, Suzhou, and Guangzhou.</p>

<p><strong>Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/uk-woman-jailed-after-illegally-obtaining-abortion-pills-freed-617097">Court sets free UK woman jailed for illegally obtaining abortion pills, terms it 'sad' case</a></strong></p>

<p>Responding to a booking request by Sixth Tone posing as a middle-aged guest, one Beijing hotel said that the reason for their 35-year age restriction is precautionary. They claimed that they were trying to avoid conflicts between their young guests and the "old" ones and that the schedules, and living habits of the two broad age groups are different.</p>

<p><img alt="Hotels" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="d6de566e-f67e-478e-94bf-2c562490a213" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/New%20wion%2835%29.png" /></p>

<p>Another hostel, which has set the age restriction lower at 30 years, said this was done as a safety measure.</p>

<p>"We only offer bunk beds and don’t host elderly guests in general since we are a youth hostel," said a member of the staff, revealing that in the past, a 50-year-old guest had to be rushed to the hospital for treatment after falling off a bunk bed.</p>

<h2><strong>Discrimination or not</strong></h2>

<p>On Weibo, the Chinese alternative to Twitter, the age limit has led to a discussion of sorts. While many mocked the practice, calling it discrimination, others say that the practice was normal since most hostels cater to the younger demographic.</p>

<p>One user commented, "Such opportunities should be left for youngsters to experience life."</p>

<p>However, another user was quick to point out that, "After being excluded from applying for jobs at public and private companies, now people above 35 have been abandoned by hostels too."</p>

<p>Talking to local news publication Baidu, the user behind the viral social media post which helped shine the limelight on this issue, says that staying in a youth hostel is not only cheaper but also helps you make friends with people with similar interests.</p>

<p>Fu Jian, a lawyer at Henan-based Zejin Law Firm, says that age restrictions are not illegal, but that "operators should inform customers of such conditions in advance to prevent unnecessary disputes."</p>

<h2><strong>China's '35-year-old' crisis</strong></h2>

<p>In China, there is apparently a long-standing bias towards those over 35 years of age. As per Sixth Tone, in the nation, this particular demographic faces an increasingly long list of life pressures, this predicament has now come to be known as the "35-year-old" crisis.</p>

<p>Those over 35 years shoulder familial burdens while battling a bleak job market. Reportedly, in China, more and more public and private companies are now setting 35 years as the maximum age for new hires. So, for the older youth, the competition is so much tougher.</p>

<p>A 2022 survey conducted by the All-China Federation of Trade Unions revealed that among individuals aged between 35 and 39, 54 per cent were worried about losing their job&nbsp; <span style="color: rgb(32, 33, 36); font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial; display: inline !important; float: none;">—</span> the highest percentage among all age groups surveyed. Additionally, 71 per cent of respondents in this age group expressed concerns about their job skills becoming outdated.</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em><br />
&nbsp;</p>

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Age may be "just" a number for the world, but in China, for those over 35, it can become the basis for "discrimination" and rejection from jobs and even hostels.

Age may be "just" a number for the world, but in China, for those over 35, it can become the basis for "discrimination" and rejection from jobs and even hostels. Recently, taking to Xiaohongshu, a social media platform that has been described as "China's answer to Instagram" a consumer complained about hostels rejecting bookings from those in their late 30s. This has sparked a debate on China's "35-year-old crisis", with some labelling this discrimination towards a particular age demographic. However, others are of the opinion that this is justified. Here's all you need to know. A dearth of hostels In a now-viral post, a user complained that many youth hostels in the Chinese capital Beijing are refusing accommodation to customers over 35 years of age. The user alleged that he faced quite a struggle looking for hostels without such restrictions. Apparently, he was informed of the age restriction over the phone and hostel owners defended this constraint, citing safety concerns. Also read | An NYU professor thinks Donald Trump will quit presidential race. Here's why He claims that the hostel owner told him that "it is unsafe for older people to get in and out of bed and is prone to accidents." In frustration, the user asked netizens, "I am getting close (to 35 years old) but I can still do 50 pushups, run five kilometres, and jump over a two-meter wall. What's the danger?" Safety, peace and more Sixth Tone, which does extensive coverage of all things China, reports that a search across major online travel-based platforms reveals that many youth hostels in Beijing now impose an age restriction. Reportedly, many of them have set the age requirement between 18 and 40 years. Additionally, some have raised this restriction and cater to people till the ages of 45 to 50, but many have drawn the line at 35 years. And it's not just the capital Beijing. Similar restrictions are in place in other major Chinese cities, including Shanghai, Hangzhou, Suzhou, and Guangzhou. Also read | Court sets free UK woman jailed for illegally obtaining abortion pills, terms it 'sad' case Responding to a booking request by Sixth Tone posing as a middle-aged guest, one Beijing hotel said that the reason for their 35-year age restriction is precautionary. They claimed that they were trying to avoid conflicts between their young guests and the "old" ones and that the schedules, and living habits of the two broad age groups are different. Another hostel, which has set the age restriction lower at 30 years, said this was done as a safety measure. "We only offer bunk beds and don’t host elderly guests in general since we are a youth hostel," said a member of the staff, revealing that in the past, a 50-year-old guest had to be rushed to the hospital for treatment after falling off a bunk bed. Discrimination or not On Weibo, the Chinese alternative to Twitter, the age limit has led to a discussion of sorts. While many mocked the practice, calling it discrimination, others say that the practice was normal since most hostels cater to the younger demographic. One user commented, "Such opportunities should be left for youngsters to experience life." However, another user was quick to point out that, "After being excluded from applying for jobs at public and private companies, now people above 35 have been abandoned by hostels too." Talking to local news publication Baidu, the user behind the viral social media post which helped shine the limelight on this issue, says that staying in a youth hostel is not only cheaper but also helps you make friends with people with similar interests. Fu Jian, a lawyer at Henan-based Zejin Law Firm, says that age restrictions are not illegal, but that "operators should inform customers of such conditions in advance to prevent unnecessary disputes." China's '35-year-old' crisis In China, there is apparently a long-standing bias towards those over 35 years of age. As per Sixth Tone, in the nation, this particular demographic faces an increasingly long list of life pressures, this predicament has now come to be known as the "35-year-old" crisis. Those over 35 years shoulder familial burdens while battling a bleak job market. Reportedly, in China, more and more public and private companies are now setting 35 years as the maximum age for new hires. So, for the older youth, the competition is so much tougher. A 2022 survey conducted by the All-China Federation of Trade Unions revealed that among individuals aged between 35 and 39, 54 per cent were worried about losing their job — the highest percentage among all age groups surveyed. Additionally, 71 per cent of respondents in this age group expressed concerns about their job skills becoming outdated. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Explained | Age is just a number? China youth hostels refuse to serve customers aged 35 and above

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