Human resource challenges in China after the leadership transition

Purpose – From a macro perspective, the paper aims to present human resources challenges after the new leadership transition in China and propose future directions for policy and research in relation to human resource management and development. Design/methodology/approach – This essay is based on analyzing the most recent 2010 Chinese National Census data published in 2012 by the State Council of China incorporating the recent research on human resources in China. Findings – With a fundamental change in the nation's demographics, the population dividend supporting the high rate of economic growth in the past three decades has come to an end. China started to suffer severe skill shortages, and it is likely to be extended to a significant period of time. Due to the skill shortage and lacking of innovation, the rate of economic growth will significantly slow down for the coming decade and beyond. Reform in existing household registration system is required to facilitate new skills formation for rural migrant workers combining reform in training and education system. Originality/value – Addressing human resource issues at a macro level, the paper analyses the sources of human resource challenges facing the new national leadership and proposes directions for human resource policy reform and for future research.