Macro-socio economic trends in China fuel growth in adults’ demand for online learning
- In China, the government’s advocacy for lifelong learning, coupled with macro-socio economic changes, has led to an increasing number of adults joining online learning platforms.
- Many adult online learners are seeking to re-skill or upskill, pursue personal development and relaxation, or enrich their social lives.
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China’s rapidly changing economic landscape and shifting demographics have spurred a surge in demand for interest-based online learning among adults. As the pace of economic change accelerates, jobseekers and professionals are seeking to re-skill and up-skill throughout their careers, with many looking to build a second growth curve or pick up additional skills for part-time work.
At the same time, a growing number of adults are turning to short-term online courses for personal development, relaxation, and stress relief. These individuals value expert guidance and appreciate the convenience and affordability of accessing professional content through paid online courses.
Lifelong learning is deeply ingrained in Chinese culture, and the government has been actively encouraging it. Regulators in the country have called for more diversified forms of education and learning, with initiatives such as the “Guidance on Promoting the Development of Lifelong Education (2010-2020)” and the “National Medium- and Long-Term Talent Development Plan (2010-2020)” emphasising the importance of developing a skilled workforce through adult learning and training.
To provide an overall direction for the development of adult learning, the Chinese government has released a blueprint book titled “China’s Education Modernisation 2035”, signalling its commitment to building a society that is always learning.
For many working adults in China, pursuing degrees via part-time masters or MBA programmes can be time-consuming, expensive, and stressful. As such, an increasing number are seeking easily accessible learning content that provides practical skills and knowledge, with many feeling that their daily lives are enriched through the acquisition of these additional skills.
