China’s 2026 college graduates are expected to reach a record high of 12.7 million, an increase of 480,000 compared to the previous year. Since 2022, the number of college graduates has exceeded 10 million annually, with employment becoming a focus issue.
According to a report from CCTV, the official media of the Chinese Communist Party, as of November 20th, the Ministry of Education projected that the number of graduates from regular universities in 2026 would be 12.7 million, representing an increase of 480,000 compared to the previous year.
It is worth noting that since 2022, the number of college graduates has consistently exceeded 10 million annually. In 2025, the number of college graduates reached 12.22 million, an increase of 430,000 compared to the previous year; in 2024, it was 11.79 million, an increase of 210,000; in 2023, it was 11.58 million, an increase of 820,000; and in 2022, it was 10.76 million, an increase of 1.67 million.
The issues of graduate employment and youth unemployment rates have once again attracted attention.
AI Internet analyst and Weibo influencer, “Warrior Camp,” stated, “According to statistics, it is projected that there will be 12.7 million college graduates nationwide in 2026, an increase of 480,000 compared to the previous year. Compared to the 11.7 million graduates in 2024 (at that time, a historical high) and the 12.22 million in 2025, the 2026 cohort will face even greater challenges when entering the job market.”
Dr. from Tsinghua University Law School and Weibo influencer, “Dr. Crane at THU,” said, “This number is really overwhelming. The students must be under immense pressure, I’m scared for them…”
An article headline writer and Weibo influencer remarked, “Next year will be an even tougher job season! With 12.7 million college graduates expected in 2026, an increase of 480,000 compared to the previous year. Despite the annual increase in graduates, the number of job opportunities is shrinking. It’s too difficult!”
Career mother, “Encountering Deers and Streams in Deep Forests,” asked, “Faced with a vast job market, where should fresh graduates look for their own ‘carrot patch’?”
Citing the National University Graduate Employment Trends and Outlook for 2023 published by the Recruitment Big Data Research Institute, in the 2024 cohort, 25.12% chose to take public exams or civil service exams, while 22.22% chose further studies, totaling nearly fifty percent. In contrast, the total was only thirty percent for the 2023 cohort. It shows that in the current difficult job market, more graduates are opting for civil service exams or continuing their studies.
“Encountering Deers and Streams in Deep Forests” analyzed, “This trend has led to intensified competition in the job market: positions that used to be suitable for undergraduates now require a master’s or even a doctoral degree. It’s too intense!
“Both pursuing a master’s or a doctoral degree is costly and time-consuming. Moreover, many postgraduate programs are not very beneficial, and the recent case of Jiangsu University of Science and Technology is a confirmation of that.”