China's College Entrance Exam Applicants Drop by 450,000, Second Consecutive Year of Decline
According to China's Ministry of Education, the number of applicants for this year's National College Entrance Examination (Gaokao) is 12.9 million, a significant decrease of 450,000 from last year, marking the second consecutive year of decline. The report attributes this to changes in statistical口径, an increase in vocational students choosing employment, and the devaluation of degrees due to higher education普及. However, it considers this a normal fluctuation, predicting that applicant numbers will continue to grow until around 2034 before declining rapidly.
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- 📰 Published: June 3, 2026 at 16:51
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(CNA reporter Liao Wenqi, Shanghai, 3rd) According to China's Ministry of Education, this year's National College Entrance Examination (known as Gaokao in China) will commence on June 7. The number of applicants this year is 12.9 million, a significant decrease of 450,000 from last year, marking the second consecutive year of decline.
According to past reports, the number of applicants for China's 2025 National College Entrance Examination was 13.35 million, a decrease of 70,000 from the peak in 2024, the first decline in many years.
From 2018 to 2024, the annual number of applicants for China's College Entrance Examination was 9.75 million, 10.31 million, 10.71 million, 10.78 million, 11.93 million, 12.91 million, and 13.42 million, respectively.
According to a report by Chinese media Caixin, although China has been experiencing a declining birth rate in recent years, the number of newborns in 2008, which corresponds to the 2026 Gaokao cohort 18 years later, was 10.68 million. This is an increase of 130,000 from 2007 and 230,000 from 2006, indicating that the school-age population is theoretically still growing slowly.
Regarding the decline in applicants, the report cites three reasons. First, a change in the statistical口径 for applicant numbers. Second, an increase in the proportion of vocational school graduates who prioritize employment. Third, the普及 of higher education has led to the devaluation of degrees, meaning that graduating from university does not necessarily guarantee an ideal job.
The report states that this year's decline in Gaokao applicants is a normal fluctuation and will not change the overall growth trend. Based on changes in the newborn population, the number of applicants is expected to continue growing for the next 8 years, reaching a peak around 2034, after which it will decline rapidly. (Editor: Zhou Huiying) 1150603
According to past reports, the number of applicants for China's 2025 National College Entrance Examination was 13.35 million, a decrease of 70,000 from the peak in 2024, the first decline in many years.
From 2018 to 2024, the annual number of applicants for China's College Entrance Examination was 9.75 million, 10.31 million, 10.71 million, 10.78 million, 11.93 million, 12.91 million, and 13.42 million, respectively.
According to a report by Chinese media Caixin, although China has been experiencing a declining birth rate in recent years, the number of newborns in 2008, which corresponds to the 2026 Gaokao cohort 18 years later, was 10.68 million. This is an increase of 130,000 from 2007 and 230,000 from 2006, indicating that the school-age population is theoretically still growing slowly.
Regarding the decline in applicants, the report cites three reasons. First, a change in the statistical口径 for applicant numbers. Second, an increase in the proportion of vocational school graduates who prioritize employment. Third, the普及 of higher education has led to the devaluation of degrees, meaning that graduating from university does not necessarily guarantee an ideal job.
The report states that this year's decline in Gaokao applicants is a normal fluctuation and will not change the overall growth trend. Based on changes in the newborn population, the number of applicants is expected to continue growing for the next 8 years, reaching a peak around 2034, after which it will decline rapidly. (Editor: Zhou Huiying) 1150603