2023 Rural Reality in Jiangxi Province

Village and town officials explained why there are infrastructure projects every year: because there's money to be skimmed (on the bright side, it provides temporary employment). Housing prices in nearby cities have fallen nearly 35% compared to 2018 levels. There are more college-educated people unemployed around age 35, and more elderly people laid off at age 60. Rural retirees need about 1,500 yuan per month for retirement support — those who grow their own crops and vegetables use this money primarily for medicine, so urban dwellers without land must add living expenses on top. Yet the government only provides pensions of 120 to 200 yuan per month.

Due to the gender imbalance caused by past family planning policies, third-party relationship issues have increased (leading to more dramatic personal dramas).

2023 Dragon Boat Festival Return-to-Hometown Observations