Aided by AI, young people in China launched 7M+ one-person startups in 2025 to escape a bleak job market, up ~42% from 2024, as they face fierce competition (Wall Street Journal)

In 2025, more than 7 million one-person startups were launched by young Chinese entrepreneurs, a 42% increase over 2024. The surge is driven by AI tools that lower startup costs and speed product development. These founders cite a stagnant job market and intense competition as the main reasons for creating solo ventures.