The buzzword reflects a sense of widespread pessimism and resignation among China’s young adults, observers say.
News Analysis
As Beijing urges the younger generation to endure hardships, many Gen Zers are embracing a more relaxed lifestyle, identifying themselves as “rat people.” Some China analysts say that this phenomenon underscores a troubling sense of despair and hopelessness among the youth regarding their future amid China’s economic decline and bleak job prospects.
The buzzword has recently gained momentum across Chinese social media. These self-identified “rat people” share videos showing how they spend most of their time in bed, getting up only for bathroom breaks and retrieving food deliveries left at their doorstep.
Describing their lifestyle as “low energy,” these netizens tend to shy away from socializing or going out. Some said in posts that they can stay in bed for up to 23 hours per day.
Videos and posts about “rat people” have gained hundreds of millions of views on platforms such as Douyin, the Chinese version of TikTok, and Weibo, the equivalent of X. The hashtag “rat people” has garnered more than 10 million views on Weibo as of May 9, indicating a growing trend.
In a viral video, a 27-year-old jobless blogger who identifies as a “rat person” shares a glimpse into her daily routine that resonates with many viewers. She starts by explaining that she wakes up at 11 a.m. and pretends to be productive by ordering coffee and browsing her phone. At 2 p.m., she goes back to sleep. By 5 p.m., she gets up to use the bathroom and collects the coffee delivery left on her doorstep. At 6 p.m., she enjoys her coffee while watching videos on her phone. At 7 p.m., she checks her dinner options on her phone and orders takeout. Finally, at 9 p.m., she has her first meal of the day.
As of May 9, the vlog received 45,000 likes on Douyin and more than 2,100 likes on Weibo, garnering many comments. Most viewers expressed admiration for this leisurely lifestyle, while others shared that they have been living this way for years.
One netizen commented: “I’ve been a rat man for five years. … I don’t socialize at all.”
By Dorothy Li
