In recent times, incidents of individuals committing suicide by jumping into rivers have resurfaced in cities like Taiyuan, mainland China, with economic reasons being cited as the main cause. China is experiencing a serious wave of unemployment, and not everyone is able to receive unemployment benefits or low-income assistance, causing even the elite class to feel anxious.
Recently, videos of individuals jumping into rivers at Yongzhe Bridge and Yifeng Bridge in Taiyuan have circulated. There were also incidents of people jumping into the river at Chongqing’s Ankan Bridge, with footage showing several firefighters retrieving a body from the water, presenting a tragic scene. Local netizens in Taiyuan commented, “8 jumps this time, 13 jumps last year.” “I’ve lived in Taiyuan for over twenty years, and I’ve never seen the situation like these past two years.”
Following multiple bridge-jumping incidents in Taiyuan last May, authorities specifically set up bridge watchers and water patrol teams, but they seemed unable to prevent the root problem from persisting.
Local netizens shared videos saying, “It’s happening again, without end!” “There are more jumps this year than last year because this year’s jumps haven’t been widely reported, while last year’s received more attention.”
Mr. He, a taxi driver in Taiyuan, revealed to reporters that there was a case of someone jumping off a building in the Youshanmei County community yesterday (May 21). He witnessed an ambulance at the scene, with many people in white coats present, unsure of the reason for the jump. Another person who jumped into the river had previously sent messages to his former colleagues asking for money. His colleague gave him the only 48 yuan they had, and a couple of days later, he jumped into the river. This is likely due to economic reasons.
Mr. He mentioned that many of those jumping into the river are not natives of Taiyuan but rather people from other regions who came to the city for work, only to find themselves jobless and without income, unable to sustain their lives. Going back to their hometowns to ask for money while feeling ashamed and hopeless, ultimately leads to them taking such drastic measures. “The reason is simple, they see no way out.”
“There’s an old saying, ‘Better to live a hard life than to seek an easy death.’ I’ve observed that those jumping into the river, both men and women, are mostly driven by economic struggles and hopelessness rather than relationship issues. They can’t earn enough to sustain themselves, can’t feed themselves, can’t bear the scorn in their hometown, so they choose to jump.”
An analysis by a self-media personality pointed out the biggest difference between the current wave of unemployment and the downsizing wave in the 1990s is the presence of debts. Back then, even the most challenging households were debt-free and could eventually pull through as long as they were willing to work hard. If faced with a similar large-scale downsizing situation today, especially in highly leveraged cities experiencing massive unemployment, the consequences could be fatal.
Across the country, it is visibly evident that stores are closing down left and right as the wave of unemployment sweeps through.
A video footage shows a woman in Taiyuan willingly smashing her 7-year-old household store due to the unfavorable economic climate making it difficult to make ends meet.
Journalists randomly reached out to several unemployed programmers and engineers and discovered that despite being jobless for months, they remain unable to secure employment, stuck in a gap period.
Many netizens shared their reliance on unemployment benefits or savings to sustain themselves. “I can’t just keep staying in the rental room – being in a bad situation, confined in that gloomy room, easily leads to depression.” “Laying flat for a year, gaining anxiety weight, having no friends.” “I’ve been lying around for a year, living aimlessly every day, my mental state has become abnormal.”
Some netizens expressed that many unemployed individuals have no idea how to help themselves. Their self-rescue primarily consists of continually seeking job opportunities. If they can’t find a job, they end up completely disillusioned, or even questioning life. They struggle to secure competitive job positions, with no success.
Mr. Deng, an elite engineer working in Beijing’s IT industry, expressed anxiety about the job market since last year. He used to be able to find new job opportunities quickly, but nowadays, it takes one to two months or even longer. Companies are cutting salaries, letting go of employees, and only hiring for specific projects. “Many foreign companies are leaving, and domestic companies are considering cashing out and potentially exiting. The trade war is putting pressure on China’s economy,” he stated.
Ms. Duo Duo from Shanghai, a skilled software engineer who recently became unemployed, has begun spending her time in libraries, sending out resumes, and attending interviews. Occasionally, she relaxes at Disneyland using her previously purchased annual pass. Duo Duo informed reporters that due to her company disbanding the team because of financial constraints, she is now struggling to find new opportunities. Despite her diligent job searching efforts, she finds it challenging in Shanghai’s competitive job market. Her colleagues are experiencing similar situations.
A recent popular online story circulated, reflecting the current situation in Hefei, stating, “Ninety percent of the population can’t sleep at night in Hefei. No matter what industry they are in this year, things have become incredibly tough. Physical stores are barely seeing any customers; Didi drivers roam the streets without picking up any orders to cover their fuel expenses; delivery drivers on Meituan are sleepless; even I can’t sleep well lately. Where have all the consumers gone?”
Netizens commented, “It’s not just Hefei; it’s the whole country.” “A significant reason for sleepless nights is the situation where buying a house for 2 million but unable to sell it for 1 million.” “Society is in such a condition everywhere; every individual’s life is precarious, the economy is on the brink of collapse, any slight disturbance may push people into poverty.” “The best life is currently enjoyed by those receiving retirement pension of over 5,000 yuan, truly the envy of many.”
Official statistics since August 2023 indicated a youth unemployment rate soaring to 21.3%, with the middle-aged group facing an unemployment rate of around 8%. However, some netizens pointed out, “The official statistics consider those between 23 and 50 years old receiving unemployment benefits, excluding those who don’t receive such benefits, categorizing them as engaged in flexible employment, even if they contribute to social security.”
In April this year, the State Council Office of the Communist Party of China issued an opinion on the “Employment Service System for College Graduates,” aiming to include eligible college graduates who remain unemployed after leaving school in the lowest living security provisions.
Netizens expressed concerns about the present job market, especially for those in their twenties, and feared what life would be like if they can’t find a job by the time they reach their thirties. “I’ve resigned recently, and the reality of unemployment is hitting me hard.” “Just received my diploma, and the harsh reality of unemployment struck instantly.” “What’s more terrifying than unemployment is the sense of bewilderment – where should we go from here?”
Journalists discovered varying levels of unemployment benefits across different regions, e.g., in Fujian’s Zhengning County, it’s 1,300 yuan per month, Dalian Development Zone over 1,600 yuan, Hebei 1,980 yuan, Henan 1,890 yuan, Qingdao 1,980 yuan, Nanjing 1,900 yuan, Chengdu 1,800+, Zhuhai 1,870 yuan, and Tianjin 1,730 yuan.
The unemployment benefits in Beijing amount to 2,124 yuan per month, 2,490 yuan in Suzhou, and 2,241 yuan in Hangzhou.
However, those who submit resignation letters citing personal reasons won’t be eligible for unemployment benefits; only those mutually terminating their labor contracts can receive benefits for up to two years. This means that after two years, they will need to find new employment opportunities.
Mr. He informed reporters that due to minimal passenger flow and a decrease in earnings this year, sometimes operating at a loss, he stopped working as a taxi driver in April and resorted to staying at home. He sought advice from local authorities and community committees on whether he could apply for unemployment benefits or low-income assistance. They informed him that despite not driving taxis anymore, as he still held a valid driver’s license, he was classified as a taxi driver and therefore not considered unemployed, making him ineligible for low-income assistance.
“Applying for low-income assistance here is very challenging; you need connections and leverage, sometimes even offering something in return for them to process your application. People like me who just inquire are usually denied assistance. Fortunately, I have no family responsibilities, minimal expenses, maintain a low-cost lifestyle, live off my savings, and take it day by day.”
“To claim unemployment benefits here, even if you meet the criteria, you must have connections for it to be processed on your behalf. If you are without connections, even if you are eligible, your application won’t get approved – it’s all about the connections. It’s all a game,” he commented.