China’s Livestreaming Attracts Young Hopefuls as Competition Grows

Amidst record youth unemployment of over 21% in China, many young people are turning to livestreaming sales on platforms like Alibaba's Tmall, Taobao, and Bytedance's Douyin (Chinese version of TikTok) as a potential career opportunity. The low entry barrier and the potential for success have attracted millions, with more than 60% of surveyed young people expressing interest in becoming internet influencers or livestreaming hosts. The livestreaming industry in China has grown significantly, with 1.23 million hosts as of 2020, generating $480 billion in business last year, and agencies have emerged to train and connect hosts with brands for more professional and efficient communication.