BEIJING -- A growing number of young people in China would prefer to find employment in their hometown as opposed to in first-tier cities, showed a survey conducted by China Youth Daily.

Among the 1,973 young respondents working away from their hometowns, 87.9 percent said they had considered returning to their hometowns for better employment.

The survey revealed that 56.5 percent of the respondents believed the rapid development of their hometowns has spurred young people to choose to go back home, followed by 56 percent saying that the pressure of living in first-tier cities is too great.

Lin Xinqi, a professor at Renmin University of China, said that now young people, who are more enthusiastic, active and creative, will have more opportunities in their hometowns and rural areas.

Another major reason for young Chinese to seek jobs in their hometown lies in the desire to support their elderly parents.

"I'm the only child in my family, and really want to take good care of my parents," said Yin Dong, who returned back home after two years of working far away from home.