By Zhuo Xian, Department of Development Strategy and Regional Economy, DRC; Li Ying, Li Fan, Yan Xiaoxu, China Development Research Foundation; Li Qiang, Wang Yixin, Zhou Pei & Li Xiaoli, Zhaopin.com

Research Report, No.2, 2021 (Total 6067) 2021-1-7

Abstract: China’s employment market has remained stable despite the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic, but there was structural differentiation among labor force at different ages. Based on the data from Zhaopin.com recruitment platform and questionnaires, we found that the Covid-19 pandemic has accelerated the entry of middle-and-old-aged white-collar workers into the re-employment market. From February to September in 2020, white-collar job seekers aged 35 and above increased by 14.9% year-on-year, including a 13.5% increase in those aged 35-49 and a 32.4% increase in those aged 50 and above. Middle-and-old-aged white-collar job seekers in industries and occupations sensitive to the epidemic, and with low education and at older age, suffer more from the impact of the epidemic. The main reasons for the obvious increase of middle-and-old-aged white-collar job seekers are difficulties in the operation of the companies they work for, diminishing human capital with age, weakening of knowledge updating ability, as well as mismatch of professional skills and job requirements. Behind these lie economic and social problems such as long-term unemployment, family financial difficulties, mortgage risks and sluggish domestic consumption demand. In this regard, middle-and-old-aged white-collar job seekers need to be aided with the “psychological advantage”, “digital skills” and “entrepreneurial energy” to broaden their career path for reemployment.

Keywords: re-employment, middle and old age groups, white-collar workers