“打工人”正逐渐老去：全国劳动人口平均年龄逼近40岁

Core Insights - The average age of China's labor force is approaching 40 years, with significant differences across demographics and regions [1][5][11] - The overall quality of the labor force is improving, with the average years of education increasing from 6.14 years in 1985 to 11.03 years in 2023 [2][5] - The total human capital in China reached 43.76 trillion yuan in 2023, with urban human capital accounting for 91.63% of the total [3][4] Labor Force Age Trends - The average age of the national labor force has risen from 32.25 years in 1985 to 39.66 years in 2023, with rural labor aging faster than urban labor [1][5] - Inner Mongolia has the highest average labor force age at 41.19 years, while Xinjiang has the youngest at 37.49 years [7][8] Education and Human Capital - The average years of education for the labor force increased significantly, with urban areas showing higher educational attainment compared to rural areas [2][5] - The per capita human capital rose from 44,300 yuan in 1985 to 768,700 yuan in 2023, indicating a substantial increase in individual human capital [4] Regional Disparities - There are notable regional disparities in labor force age and education levels, with economically developed provinces having higher educational attainment and younger labor forces [4][10] - The labor force in economically developed regions like Beijing and Shanghai has a higher average education level compared to less developed regions like Guizhou and Yunnan [5][10] Policy Implications - The report highlights the need to address the "35-year-old threshold" in the job market, which is increasingly seen as a barrier to employment for older workers [12][13] - Suggestions include enhancing educational resources and creating a comprehensive vocational training system to bridge the gap between urban and rural labor markets [6][10]