'Rat people': China's Gen Z rebels against grind culture
16 Nov 2025

China's Gen Z is challenging the country's grueling work culture with a new trend: "rat people."

The term refers to young adults who are rejecting the fast-paced corporate lifestyle and spending their days in bed.

The movement started on social media platforms like Weibo, RedNote, and Douyin, with users sharing their experiences of lounging around all day.

One Douyin creator, @jiawensishi, has become the face of this movement with videos detailing her "domestic rat" routine.

Response to China's 996 work culture
Cultural shift

The "rat people" trend is a response to China's notorious "996" work culture, working from 9:00am to 9:00pm six days a week.

Instead of striving for corporate success, many have chosen the path of minimal effort and maximum rest.

This new lifestyle goes beyond the previous "lying flat" movement that started in 2021 as a protest against this demanding work schedule.

Coping mechanism for economic stress
Coping strategy

While critics of the "rat people" trend see it as a sign of apathy, supporters believe it's a way to cope with economic stress and societal pressure.

The movement reflects a deeper sense of burnout among China's youth, who are increasingly disillusioned by the demands of corporate life.

This cultural shift is just one example of how young Chinese adults are rebelling against traditional work norms in their quest for a more balanced lifestyle.