Key facts
- 12.9 million students registered for China's gaokao exam this year.
- This is a decrease of 450,000 students from the previous year.
- The number of students taking the gaokao has declined for the second consecutive year.
- A graduate jobs crunch is cited as a reason for fewer students opting for university.
China's National Higher Education Entrance Examination, known as the gaokao, has seen a decrease in student participation for the second consecutive year. This year, 12.9 million students registered for the exam, a drop of 450,000 from the previous year, according to data released by the Ministry of Education. The decline is largely attributed to a difficult job market for university graduates, leading many teenagers to decide against pursuing higher education. The trend is expected to continue into 2025, with further anticipated decreases in exam registrations.