China’s sheep herding job ad goes viral amid urban youth struggles
In a striking move reflecting the challenges faced by urban youth, a job advertisement for a two-person position herding sheep in Inner Mongolia has gained significant traction, leading to an overwhelming response, reports BritPanorama.
The ad promised a combined monthly salary of 16,000 yuan ($2,400), complete with free food, accommodation, and Wi-Fi. It quickly became a viral sensation, amassing millions of views and hundreds of applications from young individuals seeking an escape from the pressures of city life.
On the Chinese social media platform Weibo, related hashtags garnered an impressive 59 million views. Comments from users reflect this desire: “Dealing with sheep is easier than dealing with people!” said one, while another shared the sentiment that it was a “dream job” allowing them to avoid “pretentious” urban interactions.
Zuo Xiaoyong, 45, owner of the sheep farm, expressed his astonishment at receiving over 1,000 applications within just 48 hours. Roughly 10% of the applicants held university degrees, while the majority hailed from farming backgrounds, factory jobs, or were recent graduates from major cities.
With a youth unemployment rate soaring at 16.3%, and a record 12.7 million students graduating from universities this year, competition for jobs has intensified. Job market analysis from Liepin, a leading recruitment platform in China, revealed a decrease in job postings for master’s degree holders, while those targeted towards vocational graduates have increased.
Notably, a southern Chinese university recently launched a specialized barbecue school, resulting in only 30 enrollments from over 4,000 applicants—a testament to the market’s shift.
Stuart Gietel-Basten, a professor at the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, noted the emerging mismatch between young people’s skills, expectations, and available opportunities. He argued that the conditions of work are increasingly daunting, with long hours and low security leading to feelings of hopelessness among graduates.
“If I can’t work in an office in Shenzhen or be a manager, then I’ll fantasize about moving to Inner Mongolia to become a shepherd,” he highlighted, illustrating the shift in young graduates’ mindsets.
The job itself, described as herding, feeding, and counting 3,000 sheep across nearly 50 square miles with minimal human interaction, is not as idyllic as it may seem. Zuo recalled an encounter with a confident applicant, a recent graduate keen on the role. “I told him that if you work here, there are literally no people—let alone women,” he recounted, revealing the man’s resolve to find a job first.
As marriage registrations decline, with young people prioritizing careers over family, Gietel-Basten remarked that many see marriage and childbearing as distant prospects. This evolving attitude suggests a deeper societal shift among China’s youth.
Ultimately, Zuo chose to hire a couple with shepherding experience, believing that companionship would promote both morale and productivity. This decision underscores the importance of social interaction in what can be a solitary occupation.
As the fervor surrounding the job advertisement diminishes, a growing understanding emerges about the real demands of such roles. Weibo users have started to express doubts: “I don’t think I can count so many sheep correctly!” voiced one, while another lamented the true labor intensity involved.
For many young people feeling ensnared in urban life, the allure of the open grasslands offers a compelling, though challenging, alternative. “There are no arguments or deception here, no complicated workplace relationships like in the big companies,” Zuo summarized. “Only cattle and sheep.”
