Demand for Remote Shepherd Roles Surges in Northern China
BEIJING — In a surprising twist, one of China’s most sought-after job opportunities this season is located not in urban centers but within the expansive northern grasslands. A job ad for a two-person shepherd position, posted in April, quickly gained traction, offering a monthly salary of 16,000 yuan (approximately 240,000 yen), complemented by free food, accommodation, and Wi-Fi. This ad went viral, drawing millions of views and hundreds of applications from young individuals eager to escape the hustle and stress of city life.
Job Advertisement Goes Viral
A hashtag related to this shepherding job on Weibo, a popular Chinese social media platform, amassed an impressive 59 million views. Users expressed their sentiments, with some joking, “Handling sheep is easier than handling humans!” while others remarked on the appeal of a simple, rural lifestyle, away from urban pretensions.
Surge in Applications
Zuo Xiaoyong, a 45-year-old sheep ranch owner in Inner Mongolia, expressed astonishment at receiving over 1,000 applications within just 48 hours of posting the ad. Notably, around 10% of applicants held university degrees. Zuo mentioned that most candidates came from backgrounds as farmers, factory workers, or recent graduates from major Chinese cities.
Context of Rising Unemployment
This surge in interest for shepherding jobs is occurring alongside fierce competition in the job market. Urban youth unemployment in China has reached 16.3%, while the number of university graduates in 2023 has hit a record high of 12.7 million. A job market analysis by Liepin, one of China’s leading recruitment platforms, indicates a shift in job openings, with roles for master’s degree holders projected to decline significantly over the next two years.
Mismatch in Job Market
Stuart Gietel-Basten, a professor at the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, noted a growing mismatch between available opportunities, skill sets, and expectations among job seekers. He emphasized that the hard reality of longer working hours and job insecurity impacts the morale of recent graduates, leading many to seek alternatives, such as the shepherding role.
The Reality of Shepherding
While the romantic notion of shepherding appeals to some, the actual job is demanding. The responsibilities include herding, feeding, and monitoring a flock of approximately 3,000 sheep across a 50-square-mile expanse, often on horseback or motorbike, with minimal human interaction. Zuo recalled one application from a recent university graduate eager to take the position despite awareness of the isolation and lack of social interaction. “It seems like young people these days have no desire to get married at all. Their way of thinking has changed dramatically,” he remarked.
Shifting Priorities in Marriage and Family
Official statistics indicate a decline in marriage registrations in China, falling 6.2% year-on-year to fewer than 1.7 million in the first quarter of this year. As young people increasingly prioritize career development over marriage, Gietel-Basten noted that many recent graduates are delaying traditional life milestones in favor of gaining work experience and financial stability.
Harsh Realities Surface
As enthusiasm for the shepherding position began to wane on social media, many started to confront the demanding nature of the job. Critics noted the physical labor involved, dispelling the notion that it represents a simple, idyllic lifestyle. Despite the challenges, for many young individuals feeling trapped in the urban grind, the thought of working in a serene environment remains an appealing alternative, free from complex workplace dynamics and societal pressures.
“There are no arguments or deceptions here, and there are no complex workplace relationships like in big companies,” Zuo stated. “It’s just cows and sheep.”
