In a startling turn of events, a former top-tier programmer, once earning 800,000 Yen a year, now finds himself in his 30s, working as a ride-hailing driver for a mere monthly income of 10,000 Yen. This drastic career shift raises questions about the volatility of the tech industry in China and the impact of recent employment trends on workers who once thrived in the digital sphere.
Back in 2017 and 2018, the tech industry in China was flourishing. It was a period when even graduates from third-tier universities could land high-paying programming jobs after merely a few days of training. Universities were flooded with hopeful students eager to pursue a future in coding, believing that a few lines of code could guarantee wealth and success.
However, this glittering façade began to crumble in 2022, as large-scale layoffs swept through tech companies. By the end of 2024—for context, China had approximately 7 million programmers—nearly 700,000 tech workers were laid off, signifying a stark shift from a culture of recruitment to one of austerity.
The term "35-year-old crisis" has been thrown around to describe a worrying trend that hit young coders earlier than expected. Many programmers in their 20s lost their positions before even securing enough savings for big life milestones like home ownership. A 28-year-old who held prestigious degrees and was employed for two years recounts his shock at being laid off, highlighting how rapidly the tech landscape shifted from one of growth to decline.
Tech companies that once offered substantial salaries and benefits to attract top talent quickly transitioned to cost-cutting measures, beginning with the termination of experienced staff. Fresh graduates continued to flood the market, working risqué schedules like the infamous 996 (9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. six days a week) for lower wages while AI tools began handling significant work previously assigned to senior personnel.
Many experienced tech workers are left grappling with the difficulty of transitioning careers. Entering fields like sales or entrepreneurship can seem daunting, particularly for those in their mid-30s with established lives. The turmoil caused by layoffs motivates young blood to seek new avenues, but for older workers, the realities of mortgages, family responsibilities, and dwindling options weigh heavily.
A shift into sales can prove challenging for tech workers who are accustomed to logic and structure; for example, a software engineer who transitioned to sales overwhelmed a potential client with technical jargon, showcasing the difficulties in adapting to a less rigid, more socially-driven profession. As the job market contracts, some turn to manual labor—some, like the former programmer turned ride-share driver, feel lighter without the burden of corporate ambitions.
Despite its posturing, China’s tech sector faces relentless challenges. For instance, while the global software market boasted a valuation of about $659 billion in 2023—with the U.S. leading with $338 billion and China lagging behind at just $35 billion—it becomes evident that despite having a larger workforce of programmers, China’s productivity suffers. The traditional American model, where growth comes from refining niche areas over decades, stands in stark contrast to Chinese startups that attempt to capture every market segment, often leading to inefficiency.
The lack of real skill development becomes apparent as many experienced engineers flounder in their careers, with companies focusing on urgent tasks instead of promoting deeper technical expertise. Moreover, those in senior positions often witness their jobs at risk as they age, being easily targeted for layoffs.
Exposing the Flaws in the System
This collapse reveals not just a transient crisis but the shortcomings of a system that has blindly chased rapid expansion without investing in individual talent or fostering innovation. Young people are often misled by the glamorous narratives surrounding the tech industry, drawn into coding curricula that promise secure jobs but deliver little beyond the basics.
The dropout of skilled talent into manual jobs signifies a deeper societal absurdity: individuals conditioned to believe in the infallibility of their tech skills facing down humiliating realities of unemployment and transitioning to service roles. The image of a successful programmer has been shattered, leaving behind financial stress and a confused identity.
Conclusion: The Future of Tech Workers in China
Today, the dream that many once held has been quenched by stark realities. For those who remain employed, the pressure to perform is immense, stretching workers thin beyond sustainability. The Chinese government projects an image of a robust tech workforce while the core issues—worker treatment, protection of rights, and a culture of innovation—remain unaddressed.
As the tech landscape morphs amid massive regulatory changes and economic uncertainty, the fate of programmers—once heralded as the backbone of a thriving industry—becomes increasingly precarious. This wave of layoffs not only signals a downturn for the tech sector but raises pivotal questions about the future of work in an age increasingly driven by artificial intelligence and automation, compelling all to consider: what does it truly mean to succeed in today’s world?
Part 1/10:
The Rise and Fall of Tech Workers in China
In a startling turn of events, a former top-tier programmer, once earning 800,000 Yen a year, now finds himself in his 30s, working as a ride-hailing driver for a mere monthly income of 10,000 Yen. This drastic career shift raises questions about the volatility of the tech industry in China and the impact of recent employment trends on workers who once thrived in the digital sphere.
The Boom Before the Bust
Part 2/10:
Back in 2017 and 2018, the tech industry in China was flourishing. It was a period when even graduates from third-tier universities could land high-paying programming jobs after merely a few days of training. Universities were flooded with hopeful students eager to pursue a future in coding, believing that a few lines of code could guarantee wealth and success.
However, this glittering façade began to crumble in 2022, as large-scale layoffs swept through tech companies. By the end of 2024—for context, China had approximately 7 million programmers—nearly 700,000 tech workers were laid off, signifying a stark shift from a culture of recruitment to one of austerity.
The Early Onset of the 35-Year-Old Crisis
Part 3/10:
The term "35-year-old crisis" has been thrown around to describe a worrying trend that hit young coders earlier than expected. Many programmers in their 20s lost their positions before even securing enough savings for big life milestones like home ownership. A 28-year-old who held prestigious degrees and was employed for two years recounts his shock at being laid off, highlighting how rapidly the tech landscape shifted from one of growth to decline.
Part 4/10:
Tech companies that once offered substantial salaries and benefits to attract top talent quickly transitioned to cost-cutting measures, beginning with the termination of experienced staff. Fresh graduates continued to flood the market, working risqué schedules like the infamous 996 (9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. six days a week) for lower wages while AI tools began handling significant work previously assigned to senior personnel.
The Harrowing Reality of Reinvention
Part 5/10:
Many experienced tech workers are left grappling with the difficulty of transitioning careers. Entering fields like sales or entrepreneurship can seem daunting, particularly for those in their mid-30s with established lives. The turmoil caused by layoffs motivates young blood to seek new avenues, but for older workers, the realities of mortgages, family responsibilities, and dwindling options weigh heavily.
Part 6/10:
A shift into sales can prove challenging for tech workers who are accustomed to logic and structure; for example, a software engineer who transitioned to sales overwhelmed a potential client with technical jargon, showcasing the difficulties in adapting to a less rigid, more socially-driven profession. As the job market contracts, some turn to manual labor—some, like the former programmer turned ride-share driver, feel lighter without the burden of corporate ambitions.
A Grim Picture of the Tech Industry
Part 7/10:
Despite its posturing, China’s tech sector faces relentless challenges. For instance, while the global software market boasted a valuation of about $659 billion in 2023—with the U.S. leading with $338 billion and China lagging behind at just $35 billion—it becomes evident that despite having a larger workforce of programmers, China’s productivity suffers. The traditional American model, where growth comes from refining niche areas over decades, stands in stark contrast to Chinese startups that attempt to capture every market segment, often leading to inefficiency.
Part 8/10:
The lack of real skill development becomes apparent as many experienced engineers flounder in their careers, with companies focusing on urgent tasks instead of promoting deeper technical expertise. Moreover, those in senior positions often witness their jobs at risk as they age, being easily targeted for layoffs.
Exposing the Flaws in the System
This collapse reveals not just a transient crisis but the shortcomings of a system that has blindly chased rapid expansion without investing in individual talent or fostering innovation. Young people are often misled by the glamorous narratives surrounding the tech industry, drawn into coding curricula that promise secure jobs but deliver little beyond the basics.
Part 9/10:
The dropout of skilled talent into manual jobs signifies a deeper societal absurdity: individuals conditioned to believe in the infallibility of their tech skills facing down humiliating realities of unemployment and transitioning to service roles. The image of a successful programmer has been shattered, leaving behind financial stress and a confused identity.
Conclusion: The Future of Tech Workers in China
Today, the dream that many once held has been quenched by stark realities. For those who remain employed, the pressure to perform is immense, stretching workers thin beyond sustainability. The Chinese government projects an image of a robust tech workforce while the core issues—worker treatment, protection of rights, and a culture of innovation—remain unaddressed.
Part 10/10:
As the tech landscape morphs amid massive regulatory changes and economic uncertainty, the fate of programmers—once heralded as the backbone of a thriving industry—becomes increasingly precarious. This wave of layoffs not only signals a downturn for the tech sector but raises pivotal questions about the future of work in an age increasingly driven by artificial intelligence and automation, compelling all to consider: what does it truly mean to succeed in today’s world?