Nowadays, involution (内卷) and lying flat (躺平) have become defining terms in China. Involution describes a cycle where everyone works harder but gains less, while lying flat reflects a conscious refusal to chase hollow milestones. 

Competition in education and the workforce has reached new heights, and many young adults feel dissatisfied and frustrated. According to a recent report, China’s youth unemployment rate was 17.6% in September 2024, despite the country having millions of job openings. They feel that their efforts in academics and careers don’t yield the promised rewards. 

Moreover, a research report in August 2025 revealed that workers in Chinese companies average 48.7 hours per week. This overwork and mounting social pressures have resulted in rising stress levels and burnout. It’s also pushing more individuals to adopt the “lying flat” mentality.In this article, we’ll explore how these societal pressures reshape the Chinese workforce and contribute to the growing appeal of the lying flat movement. We’ll discuss the underlying causes and effects and explore what these shifts mean for China’s future and its younger generation’s changing values.

Understanding Involution in China

What Does “Involution” Mean in the Chinese Context?

“Involution” in today’s Chinese context refers to a vicious cycle of excessive competition with diminishing returns, leaving participants exhausted but without meaningful progress. The term comes from the Chinese neijuan (literally “curling inward”) and conveys a sense of being trapped in fruitless busyness. 

Anthropologist Xiang Biao famously described involution as “a dead loop in which people constantly force themselves … a race that participants are not allowed to fail or exit.

How Involution Shapes Modern Life in China

Involution appears across all aspects of Chinese life:

• Parents invest heavily in tutoring from early childhood.
• Students sacrifice leisure for exam preparation.
• Graduates enter an oversaturated job market.
• White-collar workers often extend their office hours to stay competitive.

The result is constant anxiety—no matter the effort, someone is working harder, and rewards become increasingly diminished.

The result is a culture of exhaustion. Competitive behaviors once seen as “hard work” are now baseline expectations, leading to diminishing returns and burnout.

Why Involution Matters in 2025

• Visible in every sector: Education, work, marriage, consumption, and even leisure are shaped by comparison and pressure.
• Social media as accelerant: Platforms amplify competition, with curated success stories fueling a sense of inadequacy.
• Mental health toll: In 2024–2025, Chinese studies reported record stress levels among urban youth, reinforcing why involution dominates public conversation.

Diminishing Returns

Involution traps people in a downward spiral. Late hours or expensive tutoring, once offered an edge, are now baseline expectations, creating pressure without a payoff. With economic growth slowing and competition for jobs, housing, and education rising, many young Chinese feel that the traditional path of hard work no longer guarantees success.

The Causes and Effects of Involution in Chinese Society

Education and Academic Involution 

China’s education system has become a prime example of involution, where every year brings higher stakes and heavier workloads.

• Gaokao intensity: In 2024, 13.42 million students registered for the Gaokao, a record-breaking figure that underscores the ongoing escalation of academic pressure.
• Early-start arms race: Parents now view advanced skills—such as English fluency, musical instruments, coding, and Olympiad math—as basic requirements, pushing children into packed schedules from kindergarten onward.
• Tutoring culture: Despite the “Double Reduction” reforms, shadow tutoring remains prevalent, with families spending heavily to stay competitive. Many middle schoolers work late into the night, and high school students face marathon study routines.
• Psychological toll: The hyper-focus on grades fuels anxiety, depression, and sleep deprivation, with little room for rest or creativity.
• Inequality reinforcement: Wealthier families can afford premium tutors and school district housing, widening gaps between urban and rural students.

The education race has become self-sustaining: each parent fears their child will fall behind if they stop, so pressure mounts year after year, entrenching a cycle of financial strain and youth burnout.

Workplace Involution and the 996 Culture

The “996” work culture—working from 9 AM to 9 PM, six days a week—has become prevalent in many industries in China, particularly in the tech sector. Young professionals often feel they must work 72-hour workweeks to keep their jobs or advance in their careers. Such a workaholic culture has led to burnout and publicized tragedies.

Despite being declared illegal in 2021, overwork remains normalized in numerous companies. This overwork culture leads to employee burnout. 

Many workers report feeling mentally drained and struggling with poor work-life balance, yet continue to work long hours in hopes of career advancement, even though they realize the limited rewards. The culture of overwork becomes ingrained, making it difficult for many to break free from this cycle of excessive effort and limited return.

Economic Slowdown and Job Market Challenges

China’s slowing economy has intensified competition for stable jobs, especially among younger workers.

• Youth unemployment: The official unemployment rate for 16–24-year-olds was 16.9% in early 2025, following a methodology change; however, experts suggest it is significantly higher. In 2023, figures exceeded 20%, prompting authorities to stop publishing data.
• Graduate oversupply: A record 12.2 million graduates entered the labor market in 2025, competing for limited positions. A major state-owned firm reportedly received 1.2 million applications for just 8,000 jobs, a ratio of 150-to-1.
• Skill Mismatch: Surveys reveal a disconnect between educational needs and labor market demands. Nearly 43% of degrees do not align with employer requirements, leading many graduates to take low-wage gig work or delivery jobs despite their education.
• Wage stagnation: Industries such as manufacturing and tech face price wars and slim profit margins, reducing companies’ ability to raise salaries or hire more staff.
• Wealth inequality: A large portion of economic gains flows into assets like real estate and finance, while wages lag. This drives disillusionment, especially among urban youth priced out of housing markets.

This structural imbalance—too many highly educated job seekers chasing too few high-quality roles—has made involution feel unavoidable. Lying flat, in this context, is less rebellion and more a rational retreat from a zero-sum race.

Family Expectations and Demographics

Most of China’s Gen Z are only children, expected to excel academically, secure stable jobs, support parents, and continue the family line. Many feel this social contract has collapsed—despite hard work, they cannot match their parents’ stability or upward mobility.

Marriage and birth rates continue to decline, even after the three-child policy was launched in 2021. For many, lying flat involves choosing not to date, get married, or have children. Some call themselves “full-time children,” living with parents instead of pursuing careers or starting families.

Older generations often view this as irresponsible, but for young people, it’s a practical response to job scarcity, high costs, and relentless pressure. In an involuted society, opting out becomes a coping mechanism rather than a form of rebellion.

Housing Affordability as a Pressure Multiplier

High housing costs can delay marriage and family formation, increase financial stress, and lead to longer working hours. Renting is expensive, leaving little room for savings or risk-taking. Homeownership defines social status, making housing a central pressure point that drives competition and contributes to involution.

Gig Economy Growth and Its Discontents

Millions of workers participate in China’s gig economy. Jobs like ride-hailing and food delivery offer precarious wages, long hours, and no benefits. Many people juggle multiple jobs to make ends meet, which can lead to exhaustion and stress. The gig economy increases competition, reinforces instability, and adds to the burnout cycle.

Psychological and Social Consequences of Involution

China’s slower growth and stagnating prices limit job and income opportunities. Young professionals face rising competition, reduced job security, and higher stress. The economic slowdown amplifies societal pressure, making stability more challenging to achieve and intensifying the race for scarce resources.

Impact of Involution and Lying Flat on Different Groups

Virtually all segments of young Chinese society have felt the ripple effects of involution and the lying-flat movement, but in different ways. Below, we explore how various groups experience or respond to these trends:

Gen Z and Young Millennials

China’s Gen Z and younger millennials are the most educated generation but face a slowing economy and high youth unemployment. Many believe that the traditional path of attending top schools, securing internships, and working hard no longer guarantees stability.

• 60% of post-2000s youth report feeling unqualified to compete in today’s job market.
  This generation is driving both involution and tang ping. Some quietly resist through mōyú (touching fish), while others follow FIRE (Financial Independence, Retire Early) strategies. Their focus has shifted toward mental health and autonomy, with online content like memes, short videos, and sang (emo) slogans giving voice to their frustration.

White- vs. Blue-Collar Workers

Tang Ping first appeared among urban white-collar professionals, rejecting the 996 culture. Some left high-paying jobs to pursue simpler lives, often relying on savings or family support. Blue-collar and gig workers experience a similar withdrawal, though often out of necessity rather than choice.

• A 2021 truck driver suicide in Jiangsu highlighted systemic struggles for low-income workers.
  These two groups are increasingly connected, with college graduates working delivery or gig jobs blurring class distinctions. Both see upward mobility as out of reach.

Urban vs. Rural Youth

Urban youth dominate online tang ping discourse, but rural youth embody the same disillusionment. Some burned-out graduates have joined the “return-to-hometown lying flat” (返乡躺平) trend, starting guesthouses or living simply in smaller towns. Rural-born youth who never left often face resource inequality, turning to Douyin or gaming for escape and embracing a “let it rot” (摆烂) mindset.

A countertrend has emerged with youth retirement homes in provinces like Hebei, Yunnan, and Shandong. These retreats offer gardening, communal living, and minimal structure, drawing urban youth seeking rest. Whether by choice or necessity, both groups share a desire for stability and a break from relentless pressure.

Business, Media, and Cultural Reactions to Involution and Lying Flat

Companies and cultural creators in China began adapting in subtle yet noticeable ways in 2024, responding to youth fatigue over constant competition and the growing “tang ping” sentiment.

Business & Marketing Shifts

• Brands increasingly tap into themes of balance and authenticity. Campaigns emphasize “real life” over idealized hustle. Although not always explicitly using the terms “lying flat” or “involution,” many promotions subtly nod toward rejecting overwork.
• Social commerce and livestreaming remain key channels for engagement. Consumers favor honest reviews, stories about everyday life, minimalism, and products that promise convenience rather than status. These reflect lower-desire lifestyles.
• Example: Procter & Gamble restructured its campaigns on Douyin, focusing on creators and influencer content that resonates with younger consumers seeking simpler, more genuine stories. 

Cultural Trends & Media

• Memes, short videos, and subcultures continue to flourish, expressing exhaustion or critique of societal expectations. Youth content often employs humor, surrealism, or satire to convey the absurdity of the rat race.
• Subcultures like yabi and “sad toad” memes are examples of how youth express resignation or dark humor about their situation—rejecting aspirational content and preferring raw honesty.
• Nostalgia also emerges as a cultural refuge: Gen Z shows a greater interest in retro aesthetics and returning to traditional cultural elements — styles, narratives, and media that evoke simpler times. These act as counterpoints to pressure and speed. 

Burnout and Productivity Loss

Involution drives students and workers to work long hours with minimal results, leading to burnout. In 2024, 60% of urban employees reported high stress levels, highlighting the growing pressure in the workplace (中国心理健康网). Burnout reduces efficiency, increases mistakes, and raises turnover, impacting both individual well-being and societal productivity.

The Emergence of the Lying Flat Movement

If involution is the disease, “lying flat” is the cure – at least in the eyes of a growing number of Chinese youth. Lying flat (tǎngpíng) is a slang term and social movement meaning to reject hustle culture and opt for a low-desire, minimalist lifestyle. 

Instead of endlessly striving (and stressing) for career advancement, home ownership, marriage, and other traditional markers of success, those who “lie flat” choose to “do the bare minimum” and prioritize peace of mind. It’s essentially dropping out of the rat race as a form of quiet resistance.

What It Means to “Lie Flat” (躺平)

Lying flat is not doing nothing; it is deliberately lowering one’s ambitions. Those who take tang ping jobs or remain unemployed live frugally and avoid traditional milestones like home ownership, marriage, or career advancement. 

Luo Huazhong, who popularized the term, lived on odd jobs and minimal meals, symbolizing a rejection of overwork. Many embrace this anti-materialist stance to reclaim autonomy and reject being seen as “production tools.”

Counterculture and Reception

Tang Ping is a silent protest against an economy demanding total effort without proportional rewards. Similar to Western “quiet quitting,” it has a sharper cultural edge in China, challenging the narrative of the “Chinese Dream.” 

By 2021, it was a top internet meme, with slogans like “A chive that lies flat is hard to reap.” This resonated with young people but alarmed authorities and older generations, revealing the tension between an ambition-driven culture and a generation opting out.

Core Principles

• Rejection of Overwork: The movement opposes the “996” work culture (working from 9 AM to 9 PM, six days a week) and advocates for a balanced approach to work and life.
• Minimalist Lifestyle: Adherents to this lifestyle focus on essential needs and reject consumerism, aiming to reduce stress and increase personal happiness.
• Mental Health Focus: The movement prioritizes mental well-being and encourages individuals to seek fulfillment through personal growth and self-care rather than societal approval or material success.

Rise of the Gig Economy and Self-Employment

The gig economy has grown with the emergence of digital platforms that enable workers to offer on-demand services. This shift provides flexibility and freedom compared to traditional full-time jobs. Sectors like ride-sharing, freelance tech, and creative industries are key examples. 

The rise of self-employment is driven by the desire to escape rigid corporate structures and achieve a better work-life balance. Young people are especially drawn to these opportunities for autonomy and the ability to pursue personal interests without long-term commitments.

The Economic Impact of Lying Flat

• Labor shortages: A decline in workforce participation leads to skill gaps and strains on industries.
• Reduced consumer spending: With less disposable income, economic growth slows.
• Decreased workforce productivity: Lower workforce engagement impacts overall productivity.
• Innovation stagnation: Reduced ambition leads to slower technological progress.
• Shift in economic priorities: Focusing on work-life balance over career growth alters economic goals.

Societal Responsibility and Lying Flat

Lying flat reflects issues like excessive competition and unrealistic expectations. It calls for a shift in how society defines success, moving toward balance and mental well-being. 

Governments and businesses must create environments that prioritize work-life balance, support mental health, and reduce pressure. Instead of viewing lying flat as a rebellion, it can be seen as a call for change in societal structure.

Addressing Involution and Lying Flat: Practical Solutions

Government Support to Reduce Economic Strain

Government policies, such as housing subsidies, reduced education and healthcare costs, and increased job opportunities, are essential to alleviating the pressures driving involution and lying flat. In big cities, young adults often struggle with high housing costs, and easing financial burdens can reduce the urge to disengage from the job market.

Workplace Reform for Better Well-being

To combat burnout in the workplace, companies should reduce excessive work hours, offer flexible work schedules, and prioritize employee mental health. Workers often feel trapped by being overworked and receiving little reward. Fostering a healthier work environment can prevent burnout and improve productivity.

Educational Shifts to Encourage Diverse Success Paths

The education system exacerbates involution by focusing too heavily on traditional career routes. Some students feel pressure to follow conventional tracks. By emphasizing real-world skills, creativity, and emotional intelligence, we can create a more balanced approach to success, reducing the competitive pressure that fuels burnout.

Encouraging Personal Responsibility and Balance

Both involution and lying flat stem from unrealistic expectations. Young people must focus on clarifying their goals and adopting a balanced approach to work and life. Often, young adults experience stress from societal comparisons, but those who prioritize self-care and meaningful relationships tend to be more fulfilled and resilient.

The Future of Involution and the Lying Flat Movement

Policy Responses

In response to the challenges posed by involution and the “lying flat” movement, the Chinese government has implemented several policy measures:

• Labor Law Reforms: Proposals have been made to include the right to “offline rest” in labor laws to protect workers from “invisible overtime” and ensure work-life balance.
• Support for Childbirth: A State Council directive outlined 13 targeted measures to enhance childbirth support services, expand child care systems, and provide financial incentives for families.

While these initiatives signify a commitment to addressing societal pressures, their effectiveness is still under evaluation. Challenges remain in enforcement and cultural adaptation, particularly in industries with entrenched overwork cultures.

Societal Shifts

Cultural Changes

• Work-Life Balance Emphasis: There is a growing societal focus on balancing work and personal life, with increased discussions of mental health and well-being.
• Reevaluation of Success: Traditional success metrics, such as relentless career advancement, are being questioned in favor of more holistic life goals.
• Acceptance of Diverse Lifestyles: Younger generations are increasingly accepting alternative lifestyles, including minimalism and prioritizing personal well-being.

Generational Perspectives

• Generation Z: This generation is more vocal about mental health issues and advocates for systemic changes to reduce work-related stress.
• Millennials: While still ambitious, many seek flexible work arrangements and are likelier to switch jobs that align with their values.
• Older Generations: Older generations typically hold traditional views on work ethic and success, which can lead to generational tensions.

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FAQ Section: Involution and the Lying Flat Trend in China