National public service exam sees record-high applicants

China's 2025 national public service exam, underway today and tomorrow, attracted a record number of candidates.

According to the National Civil Service Administration, the number of qualified applicants has reached a new high of 3.416 million. With 39,721 positions available across government agencies and affiliated institutions, the ratio of qualified applicants to positions is 86:1.

This year marks the seventh consecutive year of expansion in terms of the recruitment scale for China's national public servants. The 2025 recruitment continues to prioritize strengthening grassroots administration and institutions, with 27,500 positions being allocated to institutions at the county or district level and below.

The most competitive position, with only one opening, has drawn 16,702 applicants, resulting in a highly competitive candidate-to-position ratio. This position, offered by the China Vocational Education Association, has relatively relaxed requirements for household registration and majors, making it accessible to a wide range of applicants with a bachelor's degree and above.

Regarding regional interest, Guangdong province and Beijing both have attracted over 250,000 applicants. The most competitive region is the Xizang autonomous region, where the candidate-to-position ratio is nearly 150:1.