As China’s economic slowdown deepens, workers across the country say opportunities are disappearing, incomes are shrinking, and confidence in the future is fading—pushing many toward gig work or plans to leave the country altogether.
From coastal cities to inland provinces, interviews with residents describe a broad downturn marked by business closures, layoffs, and a weakening private sector. While official messaging continues to project resilience, many say their daily reality tells a different story.
Those interviewed spoke to The Epoch Times on condition of anonymity or by surname only, out of fear of reprisal.
A Downturn Felt Across Sectors
A doctor in Beihai, China, told The Epoch Times that the local economy began deteriorating after the COVID-19 pandemic, as foreign companies pulled out and unemployment rose….
China’s Economic Slowdown Hits Jobs, Wages, and Confidence
