30 Under 30 – Inflation, Youth Unemployment, and the Social Contract
How Chen Rui, a 27-year-old researcher, is giving voice to China’s Gen Z economic challenges and shaping the policy debate.
📝 By Jonathan Reyes | Macro & Geopolitics Editor
Growing Up in a Time of Transition
Chen Rui (27) was born in 1997 in Wuhan, just as China’s economy was entering the World Trade Organization era. He grew up in a period of explosive growth, where skyscrapers replaced farmlands, and parents often reminded children that education was the only ticket to prosperity. But by the time Chen graduated from Fudan University with a degree in economics, the job market had shifted.
Youth unemployment was rising, inflation made urban living more expensive, and many of his peers were caught in what Chinese media called the “内卷 (involution)” trap—working harder for fewer returns. For Chen, this was not just an academic concern but a generational crisis.
Research with a Social Mission
Now a policy researcher at a Shanghai think tank, Chen Rui focuses on the intersection of youth employment, inflation, and social stability. His recent paper, “The New Social Contract for Gen Z in China”, examines how rising living costs and stagnant wages are reshaping expectations.
Chen’s findings have sparked debate in government and media circles. He argues that addressing youth unemployment is not only an economic issue but also tied to China’s social harmony (社会和谐). He calls for more vocational training, flexible entrepreneurship support, and policies that integrate young people into the Digital Silk Road economy.
Giving Gen Z a Voice
Chen Rui doesn’t just write for policymakers—he actively engages young people. He runs a popular WeChat column where he explains economic trends in plain language. Topics range from “Why job-hopping is rising among young Chinese workers” to “What inflation means for your morning breakfast baozi.”
Through this platform, Chen has become something rare: a policy researcher who speaks directly to Gen Z. His relatable tone has earned him over 200,000 followers, many of whom comment that his posts make economics feel relevant to their everyday struggles.
Recognition and Criticism
Chen’s work has not gone unnoticed. He was named one of China Youth Daily’s “Top 30 Young Voices in Policy” and regularly appears on TV debates. Yet he also faces criticism from older commentators who argue that youth should “吃苦 (eat bitterness)” and stop complaining.
Chen responds thoughtfully: “Yes, our grandparents built China with hardship. But our duty is to ensure the next generation doesn’t have to struggle the same way. That is progress.”
Toward a Renewed Social Contract
Looking forward, Chen Rui envisions a “new social contract” where the government, businesses, and young people work together to balance growth with opportunity. He advocates for policies that address housing affordability, more internships tied to rural revitalization projects, and pathways for graduates to enter sectors like green tech and AI.
On his desk sits a framed calligraphy gift from a mentor: “为人民服务 (Serve the People).” Chen says it keeps him grounded.
A Voice for a Generation
Chen Rui’s journey reflects the reality of China’s Gen Z: ambitious, pressured, but determined to be heard. His research is more than statistics—it’s about dignity, fairness, and the promise of a better future.As he often tells his followers: “We are not just numbers in an unemployment report. We are the generation that will carry China into 2050.”
