China is undergoing a dramatic shift toward hypereducation, with no signs of slowing down.

According to UNESCO, the country¡¯s higher education enrollment rate surged from 29% in 2012 ¡ª when Chinese leader Xi Jinping came to power ¡ª to 72% in 2022. For comparison, Japan¡¯s rate was 65% the latter year.

Traditionally, the educational system is shaped like a pyramid, with fewer students advancing to higher levels. Yet, a notable phenomenon has emerged in China known as ¡°benyan daogua¡±: A reversal in the number of undergraduate and graduate students.