lieflat

Lie-flat, or lying flat (躺平, tǎng píng), is a social and cultural phenomenon in China referring to a lifestyle choice by some young people to withdraw from the pressures of modern urban life. The term gained prominence on the Chinese internet around 2021–2022 as part of a broader critique of involution and intense work culture, and it is often linked to hardships from housing costs, wage stagnation, and social expectations surrounding education, marriage, and childbearing.

Practitioners generally aim to minimize consumption, set lower life ambitions, and reduce working hours, avoiding the rat race while meeting basic needs. Some limit work to non-high-stress jobs or pursue frugal, low-cost living. The phenomenon is described by supporters as a rational response to unsustainable conditions, while critics characterize it as defeatist or as a symptom of broader structural problems in the economy and society.

Public discourse around lie-flat includes discussions of its potential impacts on labor markets, innovation, and demographic trends, with debate over whether it signals social stagnation or a necessary recalibration of personal and collective priorities. Government and media responses have been varied, with some officials acknowledging social pressures and others urging youth to pursue aspirations within achievable bounds.

Lie-flat is closely associated with the related concept of neijuan (involution), and it is frequently contrasted with hustle culture and the expectations surrounding upward mobility in contemporary China. It remains a voluntary lifestyle choice rather than a formal movement, but it has influenced conversations about work, life balance, and the feasibility of traditional pathways to success in a high-cost, competitive environment.