Chinese Firms’ Overseas Talent Demand Rises as Youth Fill the Gap

Dec. 5 — An increasing number of Chinese companies are expanding their global operations rapidly, and the demand for employees willing to relocate abroad is also on the rise. The majority of these expatriate workers are under 30 years old.

Since 2018, the need for overseas recruitment by Chinese firms has grown substantially, according to Tang Jiawen, senior director of international services at Joyowo Geo, a global recruitment agency affiliated with a major Chinese HR conglomerate.

By the end of last year, approximately 34,000 Chinese companies had set up around 52,000 direct subsidiaries across 190 countries and regions, with total outbound investments reaching USD 3.14 trillion (USD 444.2 billion), official data shows.

“In the past, internet companies mainly led the overseas hiring wave,” Tang explained. “Now, the focus has shifted primarily to sourcing high-tech and skilled professionals needed for the real economy on a large scale.”

“The Belt and Road Initiative has further encouraged Chinese firms to expand into regions such as Central Asia, Eastern Europe, and Southeast Asia, where the demand for talent is now very high,” Tang added.

Young workers tend to have a broader international outlook and greater adaptability, making them more suitable for overseas assignments. “Although working and living conditions in many foreign countries may not match those in China, overseas jobs often provide higher salaries and offer an international platform that fosters young people’s growth, which is why they are especially appealing to the youth,” she said. About half of Joyowo Geo’s expatriate staff are under 30.

The main motivation for young Chinese professionals seeking abroad assignments is higher pay. They typically expect salaries to be 30 to 50 percent greater than their current earnings, with some industries and countries seeing increases of 60 to 80 percent.

Looking ahead, employment pressures on young people are expected to intensify. Zhang Chenggang, director of the China New Forms of Employment Research Center, believes that in the long run, many companies will continue to generate numerous overseas job opportunities for young talent.