Some 30,000 candidates in Fujian province took part in the national civil service examination on Sunday Nov 30, Southeast Express reported, citing official figures.

About 35,800 people in the province signed up for the exam – which is deemed to be one of the most competitive tests in the country – which is about 2,300 fewer than last year.

The result echoed a nationwide trend that government posts are slightly losing their luster.

Despite some 22,000 vacancies in national government agencies offered through the exam this year, about 3,000 more than last year, the number of candidates dropped to 1.4 million, the lowest in five years, about 115,000 fewer than last year.

Yet the competition will still be fierce, as only one in 64 on average will be lucky to obtain a job eventually.

Earlier reports said most positions open this year in government agencies above provincial level will require two years of grassroots working experience. About 10 percent of all vacancies will be set aside for college graduates who became village officials.

There were 7.1 million civil servants in China at the end of 2012.