A new business model is gaining ground in China’s major cities, according to El País: companies are now charging unemployed individuals to rent desk space and simulate working, a response to intense social pressure surrounding joblessness amid rising youth unemployment.
Going to an office and pretending to work: A business that’s booming in China
6/11/2025
These “pretend-to-work” services typically charge 30 to 50 yuan per day (approximately $4 to $7) and offer access to desks, Wi-Fi, coffee, and lunch in spaces carefully designed to replicate traditional office environments.
Some providers go a step further, assigning fictitious tasks and organizing routine supervisory rounds to heighten the sense of authenticity. More expensive, premium packages even allow customers to roleplay as managers or stage workplace conflicts for an additional fee.
The trend has gained widespread attention on Xiaohongshu—China’s equivalent to Instagram—where ads for “pretend-to-work companies” have drawn millions of views.
According to data from China’s National Bureau of Statistics, the youth unemployment rate reached 16.5% among 16-to-24-year-olds in March 2025, while urban unemployment overall stood at 5.3% in the first quarter.
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