Diploma inflation describes a situation that more diplomas are issued in China while overall academic competitiveness of the degree holders is falling, just like the depreciation of currency during inflationary times.
“學(xué)歷通脹”指擁有各類學(xué)位的人越來越多，但是其專業(yè)競爭力卻日漸衰退的狀況。這跟通貨膨脹時期貨幣都會貶值是一個道理。

College diploma is a basic requirement if you want to find a job in China nowadays, no matter what kind of industry you are in. Even some labor-intensive industries would require a diploma from job applicants. As a result, many Bachelor’s and Master’s degree holders have to give up their academic pursuit and work as doorman, security guard, busboy, waiter/waitress, etc.
時下的中國，無論是哪行、哪業(yè)，找工作，張口就要大學(xué)文憑。就連一些最簡單的勞動密集型行業(yè)，在招工時也把文憑放在首位。以致許多大學(xué)生在應(yīng)聘時，不得不放下身段，去應(yīng)聘那些與自己的所學(xué)毫不相干的職業(yè)。大學(xué)生門童、大學(xué)生保安、研究生服務(wù)員、研究生勤雜工等層出不窮。