China's unemployed Gen Z are proudly calling themselves 'rat people' and spending entire days in bed

‘Rat People’: China’s Gen Z Takes ‘Lying Flat’ Lifestyle to New Level

News Analysis As Beijing urges the younger generation to endure hardships, many Gen Zers are embracing a more relaxed lifestyle, identifying themselves as “rat people.” Some China analysts say that this phenomenon underscores a troubling sense of despair and hopelessness among the youth regarding their future amid China’s economic decline and bleak job prospects. The buzzword has recently gained momentum across Chinese social media. These self-i…

China's unemployed Gen Z are proudly calling themselves 'rat people' and spending entire days in bed

Millions of Gen Z around the world are currently jobless. A significant chunk of young NEETS—“not in employment, education, or training”—are well-qualified and want to work, but just can’t land a job. And then there’s “rat people” who are taking to social media to celebrate ditching work for a slower life. Experts say it's a "quiet protest" against burnout and the current job market. The millennial era of “work hard, play harder” and “girl bossi…