Why Beijing’s University Graduates Are Fleeing the City

Why Beijing’s University Graduates Are Fleeing the City
Nov 09, 2015 By eChinacities.com

Editor's Note: Beijing, the city that never keeps. The home of the Forbidden City, the top schools and the most expensive rent in China is not home to China's most educated. Graduates from Beida, Tsinghua and other Beijing universities are looking for work outside of their college town. The article explains why and how it affects the capital. 

60% of non-Beijingers who study at Beijing universities do not plan to stay in the city permanently. They have many reasons for wanting to leave: no career development prospects, the current economic situation, high cost of living and so on. If these problems are not resolved, 80% will choose to choose to leave before the age of 35.

A Growing Middle Class
The Beijing University of Technology, and Beijing Social Work and Social Science Publishing House released a Blue Book on social construction in Beijing. The report surmised that Beijing’s social class structures and population structures must be further improved to attract more talented graduates.

Beijing’s social class structure is currently shaped like a triangle: the upper class is small, and the lower class is large. In 2010, 2.97 percent of society were upper class, 35.85 percent were middle class, and 61.17 percent were lower class.

Beijing’s middle class is growing at a rate of 1 percent per year. Now, about 40 percent of Beijingers are middle class. In 2025, that number may reach 50 percent. A larger middle class would help create a more ideal society for Beijingers.

Capital Issues
The reported noted that while Beijing’s population has become wealthier, human resources are still relatively scarce. Beijing is an international city, but has a shortage of international talent. The city is also unevenly developed and the allocation of talent is unbalanced. Many suburban areas are able to introduce talent but unable to retain it.

Beijing’s low birth rate and aging population will become an increasingly visible issue. The city also has a major gender imbalance amongst its population.

What is Scaring Graduates Away?
Beijing has some of the best universities in China, but its graduates are fleeing the city. Experts believe that the biggest factor in this is lack of employment opportunities that are attractive to university graduates and provide household registration.

The high cost of living in Beijing also dissuades graduates from moving there permanently because it affects their quality of life. This is actually the most important factor that affects their decision on whether or not to stay in Beijing.

Source: QQ News

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Keywords: Beijing graduates flee Beijing universities flee

5 Comments

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alpha3305

This is not unique to only Beijing or distinctively China. Every country has trouble keeping their current generation in traditional movements. Most people 27 and younger are thinking about moving continentally or even abroad for more opportunities. The cost and method of living, internationally, has shifted and now this generation is having to hustle to adapt or suffer deeply. These kinds of adjustments are creating new troubles that most cultures and civilizations are not prepared for.

Nov 09, 2015 17:30 Report Abuse

kuntmans

The best part of Beijing is the road to Shanghai.

Nov 09, 2015 17:03 Report Abuse

RiriRiri

And the best part of Shanghai is the road to airport.

Nov 09, 2015 21:52 Report Abuse

collen_peng

There is no need to run ou of Beijing just beacause of the expensive housing!

Nov 09, 2015 14:56 Report Abuse

RiriRiri

Rule of China #56, an opened place can only be both pleasant AND popular for about a nanosecond. After which it gets only popular, then a nanosecond after it becomes overrun. Now that's a rule you won't find in those "Blue Books" because it involves a bit more than moving spreadsheets.

Nov 09, 2015 11:48 Report Abuse