Record 3.4 million Chinese apply for civil service exam
High youth unemployment drives demand for stable government jobs
But civil servants face challenges such as pay cuts, unpaid wages
Local governments under pressure due to fiscal crisis

BEIJING, Dec 30 Reuters A record 3.4 million young Chinese flocked to the civil service exam this year, lured by the prospect of lifetime job security and perks including subsidised housing as an economic slowdown batters the private sector and youth unemployment remains high.

Applicant numbers, which surged by over 400,000 from last year and have tripled since 2014, reflect the huge demand for stability from disillusioned Gen Z Chinese and the lack of attractive options in the private sector even though local governments are struggling to pay wages due to a fiscal crisis.

Klaire, a master39;s student in Beijing, took the notoriously competitive exam in early December, studying for nine hours a day and spending 980 yuan 134 on online tutoring.

She cited social prestige and stability as major factors why she is only applying for government or stateowned enterprise SOE jobs. Klaire has also seen colleagues get laid off during a previous tech internship.

I only want to pass the exam and not worry about what happens next, said the 24yearold, withholding her surname for privacy reasons.

Despite personally knowing civil servants who haven39;t been paid for months, I still applied because I don39;t wish to make lots of money.

If…