31.10.2025 China raises age limits for civil servants as part of campaign against ageism

China has increased the maximum hiring age for some civil service positions for the first time in three decades, from 35 to 38, a move that aims to keep older workers in the labour force longer and bolster a shrinking workforce.
Authorities announced the revision on Tuesday ahead of the opening of applications for the national civil service exam on Wednesday. Candidates should be between 18 and 38 years of age to apply, while the age limit for those with master's or doctoral degrees has been extended to 43 from 40.
"China has appropriately adjusted the age requirements for applicants taking the 2026 national civil service examination, in line with the country's progressive approach to delaying the legal retirement age," the Global Times state newspaper wrote on Wednesday.
The exam, which will take place on November 30, will recruit 38,100 new civil servants, according to a statement from China's State Administration of Civil Service.
In recent years, China has sought to curb age discrimination in the job market, where many older workers are rejected due to the perception of being too old or lacking energy to work efficiently. Netizens have dubbed the trend a "curse of 35."

Source: Reuters
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