The buzzword reflects widespread pessimism and a sense of resignation among young Chinese people, observers say.
News Analysis
Just as Beijing encourages younger generations to endure hardships, many generations of Zah embrace a more relaxed lifestyle and identify themselves as “rat people.” Some Chinese analysts say so this This phenomenon emphasizes the troublesome feeling of despair Amidst the economic decline and the outlook for desolation among young people regarding their future, amid the outlook for China’s economic decline and desolate work.
Buzzwords have recently gained momentum across China’s social media. These self-identified “rat people” share a video showing how they spend most of their time in bed, get up just for a bathroom break and get leftover food delivery at their doorstep.
These netizens who describe their lifestyle as “low energy” tend to avoid socializing or going out. Some say in their posts they can stay in bed for up to 23 hours a day.
Videos and posts about “Rat People” have earned hundreds of millions of views on platforms such as Waibo, the equivalent of X in the Chinese version of Tiktok.
As of May 9th, the Vlog has received 45,000 likes on Douyin, over 2,100 likes on Weibo, and many comments. While most viewers expressed praise for this laid back lifestyle, others shared that they have lived this way for years.
One netizen commented, “I’ve been a rat guy for five years… I don’t socialise at all.”
Some Chinese observers say the buzzword reflects widespread pessimism and resignation among the ZERS generation.
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“Young people see little hope for society and government,” Australia-based historian Li Yuanhua, a former associate professor at Beijing’s capital, Normal University, told the Chinese version of The Epoch Times.
“They express their quiet rebellion by maintaining a lifestyle that only meets these types of giving up, self-renunciation and their basic daily needs.”
Li said these young people have a mindset: “I don’t want to work hard because effort doesn’t make a difference.”
Xi repeated the message to mark the opportunity for Youth Day on May 4th. In a front page article published in People’s Daily, the party’s official newspaper, he told young adults to move into the countryside and support a version of modernisation of the party.
“Hope is declining” amid the slowdown in the economy
XI made a statement as the country’s economy continues to decline.
“This lifestyle ultimately stems from China’s poor economy and poor job markets. Many university graduates struggle to find jobs, especially after the pandemic,” Jen Luki, a young Chinese man who taught music at a tutoring center, told the Epoch Times recently.
“A whole generation of young people is fighting for limited opportunities, and despite fierce competition, hope is declining when they “point that out”.”
That’s why he said everyone would simply choose to “lie flat.”
Official data show that the unemployment rate for the city’s 16-24-year-old group reached 16.5% in March.
According to Allen Guo, who works in the city of Shenzhen city’s public sector, even those who find jobs have experienced a decline in income compared to the previous year.
Guo, who chose to use pseudonyms due to fear of retaliation from authorities, recently told the Epoch Times that graduates who secure positions within the local government or public sector (popularly popular for security in recent years, can earn around 4,000 yuan to 5,000 yuan (approximately $553 to $692). This figure is about a third of the average monthly salary reported by local governments in Shenzhen, and the cost of living is far greater than that of many other cities in China.
“The younger people feel trapped,” Guo said. That’s why he says, “They are downgrading their spending, which is appropriate for the phone,” referring to the trends of Chinese people who have chosen to spend less and save more in response to the slowdown in the economy.
“No one knows what the future holds.”
Yi Ru contributed to this report.
