Going to an office and pretending to work: A business that’s booming in China

Companies in China's big cities now rent out desks so people can pretend to go to work, a trend that has grown since the start of 2025 amid high youth unemployment. For a daily fee of 30 to 50 yuan ($4-$7), these firms offer desks, Wi-Fi, coffee and lunch, and some simulate work with fictitious tasks and supervisory rounds. Zonghua, a Cantonese former financial worker who resigned in spring 2024, pays 400 yuan ($55) monthly for a space, per the article, because she has not had success with her job applications. The article notes that in March, youth unemployment reached 16.5% among 16- to 24-year-olds, excluding students.