A look inside 'empty-nest' youth lives in Beijing

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Editor's note: A report released by Taobao on May 3, 2017 has revealed there are more than 50 million "empty-nest" youths aged 20 to 39-years-old in China, with most of them working in the places far from their hometowns.

"Empty-nest" youths are categorized as young, single individuals who live alone and usually work in cities.

As stated on the report, the young men account for 64 percent of the population, nearly doubles the percentage of young women, and youths born in 1990s take up 61 percent.

Below the stories illustrate some of the "empty-nest" lives in Beijing.

Lin Zhi looks out over the brightly lit downtown of Beijing, from the window of his rental room, on April 25, 2017. [Photo/VCG]

Lin has worked as a sales consultant since he moved to Beijing in 2013. The 23-year-old said he does not mind living on his own.

"My parents' quarrel so much I am used to being apart from them," he said.

"I used to live at the homes of my relatives' when I was in kindergarten, and I was influenced by my mother's sentimentality – I don't know how to relieve myself from stress or worries."

"I feel, however, better after living in Beijing alone. I won't call my parents until I need their help, and I feel I am old in heart since I have no youth vitality."

The young man said he preferred to talk with one or two friends rather than groups of people. Lin also likes to play games at internet bars and chat with his colleagues when he feels bored.

"I hope I have a busy, tiring day of work so I don't think about much when I return my rental room," he said.

"It's my mentality that needed a change," said Lin.

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