A record 12.7M graduates are entering China's workforce in 2026 as AI adds uncertainty to an oversaturated job market with a shrinking pool of entry-level roles (Yan Zhuang/New York Times)

A record 12.7 million graduates are set to enter China's workforce in 2026, facing an already oversaturated job market. The increasing adoption of artificial intelligence further complicates this landscape, as AI technology begins to disrupt the workforce and reduce the availability of entry-level positions. This influx of graduates, coupled with AI's impact, creates significant uncertainty for young job seekers in China.