Unemployment in China forces youths to pretend working at mock-up offices

While regular employees negotiate and appreciate a good salary, the unemployed ones in China send money from their pockets to attend mock-up offices.

In a bizarre but true case, youths in china are walking out of their homes to not do real work but simply pretend having jobs. While most office-goers wait for time to relax and rest at their homes, these unemployed youths are eager to go to offices and spend time there instead of being idle at home. Well, what's more surprising is it has shaped into a business idea, where China has many 'Pretend to work companies' allowing people to pay and fake a job.

China's youth unemployment is said to be more than 14% and people are finding it difficult to crack real jobs. Unemployed youths, however, don't want to stay 'jobless' and remain unproductive at their homes. The solution? They are ready to pay and pretend at these unconventional workplaces. While regular employees negotiate and appreciate a good salary, the unemployed ones in China send money from their pockets to be a part of mock-up offices.

A BBC report quoted Shui Zhou, 30, who failed in food business last year and then tried out pretend workspaces. In April 2025, he paid 30 yuan (Rs 366 approx.) daily to work in a mock office. He revealed that he enjoyed being a part of it, with five colleagues working in the same situation.

"I feel very happy," says Mr Zhou. "It's like we're working together as a group," he told the news broadcaster.

He went to a Pretend To Work Company in the city of Dongguan, China. Reportedly, such offices are emerging even in other major Chinese cities like Shenzhen, Shanghai, Nanjing, Wuhan, Chengdu, and Kunming. These workplaces provide people with an ambience that typically resembles fully-equipped offices, featuring computers, internet, meeting spaces, and tea rooms.

"Pretend office companies are one of the transitional solutions", BBC reported, quoting Dr Christian Yao, a senior lecturer and an expert on the Chinese economy.

It is believed that people are entering such offices to avoid the social stigma of unemployment and ease family pressure.