Part 11/14:
On the societal front, the Chinese workforce is at a breaking point. Overwork, social inequality, and a lack of upward mobility foster discontent. The “lying flat” movement exemplifies a deep societal fatigue, with many rejecting the relentless grind. Should this collective fatigue evolve into a widespread refusal to work long hours or accept wage cuts, the production engine—and thus China’s entire economic growth—would disintegrate.
Simultaneously, demographic decline erodes the long-term sustainability of the economy. A declining birth rate and an aging population mean fewer workers to sustain manufacturing and consumption. Without a replenishing younger generation, labor shortages and stagnant demand will further weaken economic resilience.