Contemporary urban employment patterns among Chinese peasant workers in the 2020s

Abstract

The urban employment dynamics of Chinese peasant workers have transformed in the 2020s, influenced by factors like COVID-19, demographic shifts, China’s economy, urbanization, and globalization. The data presented in this paper comes from China’s national and local authorities, official publications, and reports. The findings reveal a growing trend of these workers seeking jobs closer to their hometowns, causing hiring challenges in city manufacturing sectors. We also found that young workers struggle to secure employment in emerging tertiary industries due to skill gaps, while older workers confront employment barriers from policy restrictions and market biases. This study provides an analysis of the current employment situation for peasant workers in urban areas. It offers valuable insights for policymakers to create measures that foster stable and sustainable employment opportunities for this vulnerable demographic in China.