China National Civil Service Exam sees 3 million applicants

Registration for China’s 2027 National Civil Service Exam has concluded, with 3.025 million candidates passing the qualification review. This marks the first decline in approved applicants in seven years, down approximately 693,000 from the previous year.

Despite the overall decrease, competition remains intense for specific roles. One position at the Yanbian Border Management Detachment in Jilin Province saw over 6,000 qualified applicants for a single vacancy. Other highly competitive roles include positions within the National Bureau of Statistics and the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, where thousands are vying for single openings.

Conversely, 83 positions—totaling 101 planned hires—received zero applications. These unfilled roles are primarily concentrated within the Maritime Safety Administration, Railway Police, and border inspection systems across various provinces.

The decline in applicants is attributed to a shrinking recruitment scale, stricter identity verification processes to prevent fraudulent registrations, and a shift in candidate mindset as graduates weigh the risks of long-term exam preparation against traditional employment windows.