The National Civil Servant Exam registration has concluded, with 3.025 million people qualifying this year, a significant decrease of 693,000 compared to last year. This marks a seven-year decline from the peak of 3.718 million qualifiers in the previous year. Even with the planned recruitment of 35,691 civil servants, the average of 6,000 applicants per position suggests the competition remains intense. According to Ho Hap Hoeng News, since 2019, the number of applicants to civil service positions in mainland China has been on the rise, peaking at 3.718 million last year, but has now dropped by nearly 700,000, indicating a return to more rational applicant behavior. However, the average applicant-to-position ratio of 85:1 still indicates high competition levels, suggesting that the cooling of the civil service exam craze is not yet fully realized. The drop in the number of qualifiers is attributed to several factors: a continuous reduction in the scope of civil service recruitment, an increased emphasis on scrutiny in the application process, and a growing cautious approach among job seekers towards long-term civil service preparations, with many foregoing autumn and spring job recruitment opportunities. Among the civil service exam big provinces, Guangdong topped the list with 302,000 applicants, followed by Shandong with 197,000 and Beijing with 184,000.
The reduction in applicants after 7 years of growth highlights a shift in how people view the civil service exams. Rather than seeing it as the primary path to employment, candidates are now more selective and practical in their choices. However, the elevated average competition ratio shows that while the inflow of candidates has decreased, it has not abated to the point where the allure of civil service jobs has diminished significantly. This suggests that the traditional preference for civil service positions remains strong, and the market is adjusting to this new reality.
The stringent measures introduced by the civil service recruitment process, such as the electronic social security information checks for real-name verification, are aimed at curbing fraudulent applications and maintaining the integrity of the selection process. These changes could be a response to previous issues with false registrations and a drive to improve the overall quality of candidates. As the market for civil service positions continues to evolve, the trend toward more rational and considered application behavior is likely to persist, even if the number of applicants shows a decline.