Think Tank

The 'youth economy' gives birth to new growth points

2026-02-03   

For some time, the new economic forces generated by the younger generation have flourished. From the prevalence of the China-Chic and experience economy to the popularization of flexible employment and the active digital entrepreneurship, the "youth economy" has gradually become one of the important driving forces to reshape the consumption landscape, drive industrial innovation and conserve the market ecology. This is not just a consumption characteristic of an age group, but has evolved into a new economic form that deeply integrates youth values, lifestyles, and technological literacy, with a vast market space. The changes brought about by the youth economy are first reflected in the consumer end. Young consumers are no longer pursuing a single product, but paying more attention to emotional resonance, cultural identity, and value expression, shifting from "cost-effectiveness" to "cost-effectiveness ratio". Whether it's paying for a high-quality lifestyle, paying for hobbies, or supporting domestic brands out of national confidence, their consumption behavior is becoming increasingly personalized, experiential, and social. From the national tide craze, the hanfu craze to the blind box economy, the millet economy, from the lazy economy, new tea to the healing economy, outdoor life, these new consumption trends all reflect the changes of the youth groups to the market direction. Through social media sharing and seeding, young consumers have built a significant circle of influence, driving companies to respond quickly and innovate accurately, and forcing supply side changes. The production side is also witnessing the vitality of the youthful economy. As' digital natives', young people naturally get close to new technologies, platforms, and models, becoming the driving force of digital economy, intelligent economy, and creative economy. Many of them are not satisfied with being consumers, but rather become "producers and consumers". From short video content creation to independent brand design, from artificial intelligence applications to green technology research and development, countless young entrepreneurs have transformed their imaginative ideas into emerging business models. The platform economy and sharing economy also provide more flexible forms of employment for young people, and the scale of "slash youth" and freelancers is growing day by day. This vitality not only creates new job opportunities, but also stimulates new economic growth points, injecting a continuous stream of fresh "blood" into the optimization and upgrading of the economic structure. The rise of the youth economy is accompanied by the continuous emergence of new professions and new scenarios. From esports operators to organizers, from pet behavior trainers to metaverse asset consultants... These rapidly developing professions are mostly pioneers among the youth group. At the same time, they break down the boundaries between work and living spaces, making shared office, mobile workstations, and online collaboration the norm; Breaking the boundaries of traditional industries and accelerating the evolution of industrial integration in practice. In addition, the youth economy has stimulated new consumption scenarios. According to Zheshang Securities Research News, more than 20 cities across the country have adapted to the consumption transformation, and more than 60 core business districts are actively building city business cards featuring anime consumption. The entry of youth markets and IP pop-up stores has added "interactive+social" attributes to old streets and shopping malls, stimulating new consumption momentum. In the future, to further unleash the vitality of youth economy, it is necessary to improve the institutional environment. Establish and improve policies such as labor protection, property rights protection, and financing support that are suitable for new business formats, and reduce institutional barriers to innovation and entrepreneurship. Consolidate the foundation of quality, strengthen the cultivation of young people's innovation literacy, financial literacy, and digital skills. Building shared platforms, establishing entrepreneurial incubators, hosting innovation competitions, and providing inclusive services to create conditions for young people, especially those in small and medium-sized towns and rural areas, to showcase their talents. (New Society)

Edit:Luoyu Responsible editor:Wang Xiaojing

Source:ECONOMIC DAILY

Special statement: if the pictures and texts reproduced or quoted on this site infringe your legitimate rights and interests, please contact this site, and this site will correct and delete them in time. For copyright issues and website cooperation, please contact through outlook new era email:lwxsd@liaowanghn.com

Recommended Reading Change it

Links