Once a niche subculture, 'lying flat'—embracing minimalistic living and rejecting relentless toil—has become a mainstream phenomenon in China. The government views it as a threat, while many young people see it as a necessary response to intense competition and diminishing returns.
The 'lying flat' movement signifies a significant shift in youth perspectives in China, challenging the country's traditional ethos of relentless hard work and upward mobility. It highlights growing disillusionment with economic pressures and societal expectations, posing a potential challenge to national productivity and development goals.
China's 'lying flat' movement, initially a niche subculture, has evolved into a mainstream phenomenon, prompting concern from the government. The Ministry of State Security has accused unnamed overseas groups of funding influencers to promote 'lying flat' brainwashing, aiming to dispel young people's 'belief in striving' and undermine social values. This concept, which gained traction around 2021 during the coronavirus pandemic, describes individuals who reject the intense competition and relentless pursuit of materialistic success prevalent in Chinese society.
Once associated with those dropping out of the 'rat race' for odd jobs, 'lying flat' now encompasses a broader demographic, including professionals, entrepreneurs, and officials who are avoiding extra work due to diminishing returns in an era of fierce competition. Many social media users, however, attribute their fatigue to home-grown factors rather than foreign influence, with one user sarcastically commenting that their exhaustion was 'the CIA all along.'
The phenomenon is driven by a highly competitive job market, with approximately 100 candidates vying for a single civil service position and a projected youth unemployment rate of 20.8% in 2023. The '996' work culture (9 a.m. to 9 p.m., six days a week) and high living costs, including soaring housing prices and expenses for education and medical care, further contribute to this sentiment. Young people are questioning traditional life trajectories, leading to a plummeting fertility rate of 1.07. Instead of pursuing materialistic desires, many are seeking 'spiritual liberation' by embracing a simpler life, focusing on hobbies and free time, and rejecting societal expectations.
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