Young Workers Are Choosing Shenzhen Over Beijing and Shanghai

By Adam Robbins, April 25, 2018

3 0

China’s oldest, richest Tier One cities – Beijing and Shanghai – are now less attractive to young job seekers than their scrappy southern counterparts. 

Citing a study “by a research institute working for the Chinese classified advertising site 58.com,” ECNS reports that people born after 1995 are now flocking to Guangdong and Sichuan provinces.

Shenzhen – with an economy set to overtake Hong Kong this year – is now the most favored city among the young, according to the report.

Guangzhou and Chengdu – each named China’s “most livable” city – are next in line as the destination for China’s rising generation. 

Hangzhou, Chongqing, Wuhan, Zhengzhou and Xi’an, which graduated to Tier One status last year, are also emerging as attractive cities thanks to active recruitment measures.

READ MORE: 85% of Migrants Feel They 'Don't Belong' in First-Tier Cities

Hangzhou’s policies let companies offer larger than average salaries, for an average of RMB6,663 per month, according to the report. Expected monthly wages for Shenzhen, Dongguan and Guangzhou are reported at RMB6,589, RMB6,105 and RMB6,029 respectively. Shanghai still leads that metric, with salaries of RMB8,326 a month. 

Separately, Global Times reports that 'smaller' cities like Jiangsu province’s Suzhou and Yangcheng (with populations of 10.7 and 7.3 million, respectively) are attracting more foreign talent. 

"As a university teacher, the main draw is that the salary is more or less the same in smaller cities as it is in bigger ones," Thomas Claret, who teaches French at a university in Yangcheng, told the paper. "But the costs are a lot lower, so I can live without worrying too much about money I earn and spend." 

READ MORE: This Place Was Just Named the Best for Expats in China

[Cover image via Simbaxu]

more news

Charcoal-Grilled Uruguayan Wagyu Takes the Stage at China Grill

Park Hyatt Beijing’s China Grill launches a summer menu starring artisan beef and seasonal seafood

Regent Beijing Celebrates 250 Years of Aynsley’s Porcelain Art

British royal bone china meets modern elegance in a curated summer showcase

Dry-Aged Wagyu Meets Regional China in Five Bold Flavors

Char Bar & Grill unveils 28-day dry-aged Wagyu with regional sauces

Viennese Summer Coffeehouse Arrives at The Peninsula Beijing

A taste of Vienna inspires summer creations in The Lobby

Mandarin Oriental Wangfujing and CREED Present Oriental Sonata

A fragrance-inspired afternoon tea served until August 14

InterContinental Beijing Sanlitun Launches Cellcosmet-Themed Summer Experiences

Luxury skincare meets lifestyle in seasonal suite and afternoon tea collaboration.

Shaolin Scandal Shakes China as 'CEO Monk' Faces Criminal Probe

Embezzlement, extramarital affairs, and illegitimate children

0 User Comments

In Case You Missed It…

We're on WeChat!

Scan our QR Code at right or follow us at ThatsBeijing for events, guides, giveaways and much more!

7 Days in Beijing With thatsmags.com

Weekly updates to your email inbox every Wednesday

Download previous issues

Never miss an issue of That's Beijing!

Visit the archives