Post-1990s generation becomes main force of home-returning entrepreneurs: Shaanxi survey

BEIJING -- In Northwest China's Shaanxi province, the post-1990s generation has taken the center stage of entrepreneurship among college students and graduates who chose to return to their hometowns to start a business, China Youth Daily reported Tuesday.

A survey by the Shaanxi provincial committee of the Communist Youth League of China said that the majority of the group are aged between 19 and 34, accounting for 78.3 percent of the total, while those under the age of 29 -- the post-1990s generation -- make up the largest part, 55 percent.

Compared with previous surveys, the proportion of female entrepreneurs has seen a marked rise, reaching 55.26 percent, surpassing their male peers for the first time, the newspaper said.

This shows a growing consciousness of self-determination of women in modern China and that the introvert stereotype of women is changing, it said.

Most of the student-turned entrepreneurs surveyed said they could break even at the beginning or even make a profit and, to a certain extent, help local employment.

"These dynamic students with vigorous passions and potentials have become a huge treasure for us to realize rural revitalization," the report said quoting Duan Xiaolong, secretary of the CYLC Shaanxi provincial committee.

However, respondents also complained about problems in their business startups, such as lack of funds, projects, information and training.

While the government is beefing up efforts to provide favorable policies and support for young entrepreneurs, experts in the report also suggested effective implementation of these measures will produce good results.