US EditionChina raises age limits for civil servants as part of campaign against ageism
China raised the civil service hiring age limit to 43 for fresh master's and doctoral graduates to combat age discrimination and support a shrinking workforce.
- On Oct 14, China's central government announced raising the upper age limit to 43 for fresh master's and doctoral graduates ahead of Oct 15 applications.
- Facing rapid population ageing, officials say the policy responds to rampant age discrimination and netizens' 'curse of 35', aiming to keep older workers in China's labour force longer.
- Raising the cap included specific provisions: the limit rose from 35 to 38 for central government candidates, veterans get a two-year extension, and Meishan and Suining, Sichuan raised local limits to 38 and 43 for bachelor's and master's applicants.
- The 2026 national civil service exam on Nov 30 will recruit 38,100 new civil servants, potentially expanding state sector jobs for older applicants amid rising competition.
- Demographic forecasts indicate China's population aged 60 and older will exceed 40 per cent or more than 400 million by 2035, with retirement age changes since start of 2025 raising men to 63 and women in white-collar work to 58.
7 Articles
7 Articles
China raises age limits for civil servants as part of campaign against ageism
China has increased the maximum hiring age for some civil service positions for the first time in three decades, from 35 to 38, a move that aims to keep older workers in the labour force longer and bolster a shrinking workforce.
Age discrimination, high unemployment and strong competition for stable employment lead China to increase the age limit for access to public service duties.
China Relaxes Age Rule in Civil Service Exam to Address Aging Workforce
China Relaxes Age Rule in Civil Service Exam to Address Aging Workforce - For the first time in decades, applicants up to 38 — and some up to 43 — can take the national civil service exam, reflecting Beijing’s effort to extend working lives and modernize hiring rules
China raises civil service exam age limits
China will begin accepting applications Wednesday for its 2026 national civil service exam with a landmark revision: The age cap for most applicants will rise for the first time in decades from 35 to 38, reflecting Beijing’s broader effort to gradually delay retirement and keep older workers in the labor force, reports Caixin. According to […]
Coverage Details
Bias Distribution
- 50% of the sources lean Right
Factuality
To view factuality data please Upgrade to Premium
