Unemployed youth in China becoming ‘full-time grandchildren', some earning over Rs 1 lakh

Indian Express

9 hours ago

As China's youth unemployment stays high, a new trend is gaining attention young people are becoming 'full-time grandchildren,' returning home to care for their elderly grandparents. According to a report by the South China Morning Post (SCMP), this arrangement helps young adults stay engaged while supporting ageing family members who often live alone and need companionship.
SCMP reported that these young people, often in their 20s, provide daily care, emotional support and assistance with hospital visits, medications, and household work. Unlike 'full-time children' who care for their parents, 'full-time grandchildren' are seen as more committed due to the age and needs of the grandparents.
One 26-year-old woman, who had failed both her postgraduate and civil service exams, could not find a job. Her grandfather invited her to move back home.
'If you take good care of me and help me live a few more years, that is better than anything else you could do out there,' he told her, according to SCMP.
She now receives 7,000 yuan (around ₹80,000) a month from his pension, which is 10,000 yuan (₹1.15 lakh).
The trend comes at a time when jobs are hard to find. SCMP reported that the unemployment rate for people aged 16 to 24 was 15.8% in April 2025 meaning roughly one in six was out of work.
Many of these young adults say the experience has helped them grow and think differently about life. One person told SCMP, 'At work, all I got for my efforts were empty promises. But as a full-time grandchild, if I mention a craving for something at night, my grandma is out buying it the next morning.'
Another young woman, Xiaolin, aged 24, told Sanlian Life Lab, quoted by SCMP, 'We only have about 30,000 days in a lifetime, and for my grandparents, each day is part of a countdown. I can earn bonuses at work later in life, but time with them, once gone, is gone forever.'
The topic has sparked debate on Chinese social media. Some users see this as a practical and caring solution, 'Hiring someone from outside to care for the elderly is expensive. Having family do it is more attentive, better for everyone,' one person wrote.
Others pointed out that such roles depend heavily on the grandparents' income.
'The bar for being a 'full-time grandchild' is too high. How many people actually have grandparents whose pensions are enough to support themselves? My grandfather is a farmer; his monthly pension is only 100 yuan (about ₹1,150),' said another.