Unemployed Chinese Youths Pay Fake Companies to Hire Them to Pretend to Work

Published on June 6th, 2025, under the News category, a peculiar trend is gaining popularity in China where young people without jobs are paying fees to simulate working in rented offices without any financial compensation. While most Chinese workers earn money by going to their office jobs, there is a segment who pay fake companies to allow them to pretend to work in exchange for a daily fee ranging from 30 to 50 yuan ($4-$7). These companies provide various workplace settings with desks, lunch amenities, and Wi-Fi access. Clients can choose to just relax in the facilities, or opt for additional features like imaginary tasks, fake supervisors, and staged employee protests to enhance the realism. These “pretend-to-work companies” are on the rise this year to cater to the increasing demand from unemployed youths.

The question arises, why would individuals pay to engage in pretend work activities? The answer is not straightforward. An article by the Spanish newspaper The Country delved into this unusual trend and visited one of these companies to understand its appeal. Some participants mentioned their interest in the concept, while others enjoyed having an affordable place to spend time rather than staying at home. A few individuals hoped that this experience might assist them in securing actual employment in the future. Xu Lin, a content creator, stated, “Although some members need a place to pretend to work, most of us are just there because it’s interesting.”

With the youth unemployment rate hitting 16.5% for individuals aged 16 to 24 (excluding students) and 7.2% for those aged 25 to 29 in March, paired with the availability of low-cost office spaces in major cities like Beijing, this trend of mimicking work emerged. These office spaces are economical to rent and serve as budget-friendly alternatives to cafes for those seeking a place to hang out. While it may seem odd to spend money on pretending to work when unemployed, the unique work culture in China has allowed such unconventional services to become mainstream.