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In a rare move not seen in over three decades, China has raised the age limit for some civil service applicants — from 35 to 38 — in an effort to retain older workers and ease pressure on its shrinking labor force, according to The Straights Times.
The adjustment was announced on October 14, just ahead of the national civil service exam application window opening on October 15. The maximum age has also increased for those with advanced degrees: master’s and PhD holders can now apply up to age 43, up from the previous 40.
More Seats and Wider Eligibility in a Competitive Market
The upcoming 2026 national civil service exam, scheduled for November 30, will be used to recruit more than 38,000 new civil servants. As competition for stable public sector roles intensifies, the expanded age limits give older professionals another chance to secure these coveted jobs.
Aging Workforce Forces Policy Shifts
China’s rapidly aging population has become a key concern for policymakers. By 2035, individuals over 60 are projected to make up more than 40% of the population — over 400 million people — posing long-term challenges to productivity and economic growth.
Earlier in 2025, China began raising official retirement ages: men’s retirement age rose from 60 to 63, while women in white-collar roles now retire at 58 instead of 55. For blue-collar women, the limit moved from 50 to 55.
Breaking the “Curse of 35” in Hiring Culture
The private sector in China has long been criticized for sidelining older applicants, with age 35 becoming an unspoken cutoff point for many job openings. This stigma has led to growing frustration among jobseekers and sparked online debate about age-based hiring practices.
By easing age limits in government hiring, authorities are signaling a potential move away from age bias — at least in the public sector. For many, it’s a long-awaited change that could set a precedent for broader reforms across industries.
Strategic Response to a Demographic Crossroads
The policy update is a reflection of China’s evolving approach to long-term labor sustainability. With fewer young workers entering the pipeline due to decades of restrictive family planning policies, the country is rethinking how it defines “working age.”
Opening civil service roles to older candidates not only extends career lifespans, but also taps into an experienced segment of the population often overlooked in the hiring process. As the country braces for demographic headwinds, leveraging older workers may be key to maintaining economic momentum in the future of work.
