Is the 'Iron Rice Bowl' No Longer Attractive? 3,171 Civil Servants Resign, 11,229 Retire, Exam Applicants Drop 31.9% in 8 Years

The 'iron rice bowl' is no longer as secure as it once was. According to data from the Ministry of Civil Service, 3,171 civil servants resigned in 2025, an increase of over 1,000 compared to 1,994 resignations six years ago. Furthermore, the number of applicants for the senior and junior civil service exams (Gaopukao) has been steadily declining, from 84,684 in 2018 to 57,707 in 2025, a 31.9% drop over eight years. Many netizens point to the disparity between salary and responsibility as a key factor.

The number of civil servant resignations has increased by over 1,000 in six years. The reasons for resignation have also been revealed. According to Ministry statistics, the number of resignations has risen year by year: 1,994 in 2019, 1,969 in 2020, 2,192 in 2021, 2,496 in 2022, 2,752 in 2023, 3,094 in 2024, and 3,171 in 2025, a record high in recent years.

Breakdown of resignations by category (as of end of 2025): Out of 281,254 active civil servants, 3,171 resigned: 2,308 general staff, 409 police officers, 422 medical personnel, and 32 judges and prosecutors.

Main reasons for resignation: 'Found another job' accounted for 44%, the highest proportion, indicating many civil servants choose to change careers. This was followed by 'poor health' (7.9%), 'further education' (6.7%), and 'childcare' (4.6%). Additionally, 2.5% cited 'civil servant salary lower than comparable private sector positions', 2.3% cited 'heavy workload', and 1.8% cited 'work pressure'.

Gaopukao applicants drop 31.9% in 8 years; admission rates rise significantly: 1. Exam applicants fall below 60,000 The number of Gaopukao applicants remained above 80,000 until 2022, when it began to decline sharply. In 2018, total applicants were 84,684; in 2020, 83,616; in 2021, 84,417; but in 2022, it dropped to 71,284. In 2023, it fell below 70,000 to 66,402; in 2024, 66,702; and in 2025, it officially fell below 60,000 to 57,707.

2. Decline in applicants for senior and junior exams; admission rates rise sharply From 2018 to 2025, applicants for the senior exam (Gaokao) decreased from 43,507 to 32,327, a 25.7% drop. Applicants for the junior exam (Pukao) decreased from 41,177 to 25,380, a 38.4% drop. As applicant numbers fell, the admission rate for the senior exam rose from 10% to 22.52%, and for the junior exam from 8.14% to 19.35%.

3. Civil servant retirements hit record high of 11,229 According to Ministry statistics, after the pension reform was implemented, the number of civil servant retirements initially declined. In 2016, there were 9,259 retirements; in 2017, 6,762; in 2018, 6,343; in 2019, 7,220; in 2020, 6,260; and in 2021, only 5,746, the lowest in a decade. Numbers then began to rise: 7,635 in 2022, 7,640 in 2023, 9,758 in 2024, and 11,229 in 2025, an increase of 1,471 (15.07%) from the previous year.

Netizens point to declining birth rates, new pension system, and salary-responsibility imbalance as factors affecting recruitment appeal. On the forum Dcard, some users noted that while combining administrative and technical categories may not fully reflect each category's situation, it provides an overall reference. The decline in Gaopukao applicants is partly due to the declining birth rate and shrinking young population, so it cannot be solely attributed to reduced appeal of public service.

However, from another perspective, the increase in resignations and recruitment difficulties in some categories, along with the Examination Yuan's mention of diversified career choices and changing relative appeal of public service, indicate challenges in recruitment and retention beyond demographic changes.

Many netizens commented: 'Civil servants hired after July 1, 2023, no longer receive lifetime pensions, and salaries are not proportional to the legal responsibilities and pressure. The ban on side jobs also reduces appeal.' 'It's the pension system. No lifetime pension and low salaries are the main reasons. Stop fooling ourselves. I hope a change of party can restore lifetime pensions and make up the shortfall.' 'In Gaopukao and state-owned enterprises, only the old-timers have it easy; young people are struggling.' 'After the pension reform eliminated lifetime pensions, resignations and declining applicant numbers will only get worse.'

Q1: How many civil servants resigned in 2025, and what were the main reasons? According to the Ministry of Civil Service, 3,171 civil servants resigned in 2025. The main reason was 'found another job' (44%), followed by poor health (7.9%), further education (6.7%), and childcare (4.6%).

Q2: How much have Gaopukao applicants decreased in recent years? Total Gaopukao applicants dropped from 84,684 in 2018 to 57,707 in 2025, a decrease of approximately 31.9% (about 26,000 applicants) over eight years.

Q3: How have admission rates for the senior and junior exams changed? With fewer applicants, the admission rate for the senior exam rose from 10% to 22.52%, and for the junior exam from 8.14% to 19.35%.

Q4: What do netizens see as the main reasons for the declining appeal of civil service jobs? Netizens cite the lack of lifetime pensions for new hires after July 1, 2023, low salaries, the mismatch between salary and responsibility/pressure, and restrictions on side jobs.

Source: Ministry of Civil Service Full discussion: Dcard Editor: Chen Defu