Choosing a major is, to some extent, choosing a career development track. At present, China is in a critical period of industrial upgrading and technological transformation. Strategic emerging industries such as artificial intelligence, integrated circuits and new energy are booming rapidly. Meanwhile, rigid demand for health and elderly care services brought by population aging is emerging, and these trends are also reflected in the job market. This article sorts out ten industries with prominent talent shortages, attached with talent gap figures and matching core majors, so as to provide references for university talent training and students' career planning.

01

Artificial Intelligence (AI)

Industry Background: China has listed artificial intelligence as a national strategic emerging industry. Large models, general artificial intelligence, intelligent manufacturing and autonomous driving are key breakthrough directions. Driven by policies, capital and application scenarios, the annual industrial growth rate exceeds 30%.

Talent Gap Data: Estimated by the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security, China’s AI talent gap exceeds 5 million, with a supply-demand ratio of 1:10. According to Liepin’s 2025 AI Technical Talent Supply-Demand Insight Report, the talent gap for large model-related positions stands at 470,000.

Matching Majors: Artificial Intelligence, Computer Science and Technology, Software Engineering, Data Science and Big Data Technology, Electronic Information Engineering.

02

Cybersecurity

Industry Background: The digital economy has penetrated all sectors. Data security and protection of critical information infrastructure form an important part of national security. The Cybersecurity Law, Data Security Law and Personal Information Protection Law have been fully implemented, bringing rigid growth in compliance and attack-defense demands.

Talent Gap Data: The 2025 Report on Cybersecurity Industry Talent Development in the AI Era shows that the global cybersecurity talent gap reached 4.8 million in 2025, while China’s gap exceeded 3 million.

Matching Majors: Cyberspace Security, Information Security, Confidentiality Technology, Cryptographic Science and Technology, Computer Network Technology.

03

Integrated Circuits (Chips)

Industry Background: Chips are hailed as the "jewel in the crown" of manufacturing. China faces bottlenecks in high-end chip supply. Driven by the national integrated circuit fund and intensive local policies, domestic substitution is accelerating across the full industrial chain covering design, manufacturing, packaging & testing, equipment and materials.

Talent Gap Data: According to the 2024 White Paper on Integrated Circuit Industry Talents released by the Talent Exchange Center of MIIT, China’s integrated circuit talent gap hit 300,000 in 2025. The shortage rate of high-end design talents exceeds 40%, with high-end talents accounting for less than 3% of the workforce. The gap is projected to expand to more than 500,000 by 2030.

Matching Majors: Integrated Circuit Science and Engineering, Microelectronics Science and Engineering, Electronic Science and Technology, Electronic Information Engineering.

04

New Energy and Energy Storage

Industry Background: Under the dual carbon goals, photovoltaic power, wind power, energy storage and hydrogen energy serve as the main forces of energy transition. Construction of new power systems is accelerated, and energy storage is listed as new infrastructure, witnessing explosive growth in policy subsidies and market demand.

Talent Gap Data: Data from the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security shows that the new energy industry talent gap will reach nearly 3 million in 2026. Joint estimates by the Chinese Academy of Sciences and China Youth Daily indicate that the energy storage industry will face a talent gap of 505,400 between 2020 and 2030, with R&D and operation & maintenance posts in the tightest supply.

Matching Majors: New Energy Science and Engineering, Energy Storage Science and Engineering, Electrical Engineering and Automation, Photovoltaic Engineering, Energy and Power Engineering.

05

Intelligent Manufacturing & Industrial Robots

Industry Background: China’s manufacturing sector is upgrading from "Made in China" to "Intelligently Made in China". Factory automation, flexible production lines and digital workshops are widely deployed. China’s annual installation volume of industrial robots ranks first globally for consecutive years, and the talent structure of traditional manufacturing is rapidly becoming technology-oriented.

Talent Gap Data: Figures released by the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security and MIIT show that the intelligent manufacturing talent gap reached 4.5 million in China in 2025, including a gap of 1.9 million skilled talents for industrial robot-related positions. Demand for industrial robot system operators and maintenance personnel will hit 1.25 million over the next five years.

Matching Majors: Intelligent Manufacturing Engineering, Robotics Engineering, Mechanical Design, Manufacturing and Automation, Mechatronics Technology, Automation.

06

Elderly Care & Health Services

Industry Background: China has entered a stage of deep aging, with over 320 million people aged 60 and above, including more than 40 million disabled and semi-disabled seniors. A three-in-one elderly care system covering home, community and institutional services is under accelerated construction, making health and elderly care an essential livelihood demand.

Talent Gap Data: As of 2026, China faces a talent gap of over 10 million in elderly care and health services, while only about 500,000 caregivers hold professional certificates.

Matching Majors: Elderly Service Management, Gerontology, Health Service and Management, Nursing, Rehabilitation Therapy, Smart Health and Elderly Care Service Management.

07

Digital Economy & Big Data

Industry Background: The digital economy accounts for more than 40% of China’s GDP. Data has become a key production factor. Governments and enterprises are pushing forward digital transformation comprehensively, making data governance, data analysis and digital operation standard core capabilities.

Talent Gap Data: The 2025 Report on China’s Digital Economy Talent Development states that the cross-industry talent gap stands at nearly 30 million, with an extreme shortage of high-end interdisciplinary talents.

Matching Majors: Data Science and Big Data Technology, Big Data Management and Application, Digital Economy, FinTech, Information Management and Information Systems.

08

Biomedicine

Industry Background: Advancing the Healthy China Strategy, population aging and consumption upgrading have driven surging demand for pharmaceuticals. Innovative drugs, cell therapy, gene technology and high-end medical devices are undergoing rapid development, with continuous optimization of approval and medical insurance policies.

Talent Gap Data: Estimates show that the talent gap for biomedicine R&D and production personnel exceeds 800,000, especially in innovative pharmaceuticals, gene technology and vaccine sectors.

Matching Majors: Bioengineering, Biotechnology, Biopharmaceuticals, Pharmacy, Pharmaceutics, Biomedical Engineering, Clinical Medicine.

09

Low-Altitude Economy & UAVs

Industry Background: China is promoting low-altitude airspace opening-up. Large-scale applications of UAVs, low-altitude logistics, aerial sightseeing and emergency rescue are being rolled out. Multiple local governments have released low-altitude economy development plans, making unmanned aerial vehicles a key scenario of new productive forces.

Talent Gap Data: Data from the National Development and Reform Commission shows that the low-altitude economy talent gap reached 1 million in China in 2025. UAV operators are in particularly short supply, with certified personnel only meeting around 30% of market demand. Liepin’s 2026 Report on China Low-Altitude Economy Talent Development reveals that newly released industry vacancies grew by 73.85% year-on-year in 2025, indicating a severe imbalance between talent supply and demand.

Matching Majors: Aircraft Design and Engineering, Aircraft Manufacturing Engineering, Low-Altitude Technology and Engineering, Unmanned Aerial Vehicle System Engineering, Transportation (Low-Altitude Direction).

10

Cross-Border E-Commerce

Industry Background: Foreign trade is undergoing transformation and upgrading, with cross-border e-commerce emerging as a new growth driver. Live-streaming e-commerce and short-video marketing have reshaped consumption chains, while overseas warehouses, independent websites and cross-border operation teams have become standard configurations for enterprises.

Talent Gap Data: The 2025 Report on China E-Commerce Talent Development issued by the Ministry of Commerce estimates a direct talent gap of about 550,000 for cross-border e-commerce, with operation roles accounting for 68% of the shortage. The 2025 White Paper on Cross-Border E-Commerce Talent Training in China forecasts that the overall industry talent gap will reach 4 million in 2025, with prominent supply-demand conflicts for interdisciplinary talents.

Matching Majors: Cross-Border E-Commerce, Electronic Commerce, International Economy and Trade, Supply Chain Management, Logistics Management, Digital Media Technology.