The competition intensity among people vying to be civil servant recruits was eased a bit this year as many candidates didn't show up for the writing part of the annual exam, which concluded on Sunday.

The test is a key part of the nation's recruitment of civil servants for central government ministries and affiliated government bodies next year.

The writing tests were held at 101,345 examination sites in 248 designated cities across 31 provinces and regions, according to the administration.

Figures from the National Civil Service Administration show that about 2.59 million candidates took the written exam — 86.7 percent of the 2.98 million who had confirmed online that they had been approved to take it. Originally, about 3.42 million people were deemed qualified to sit the exam to compete for the 39,721 civil servant job openings next year.

Based on the exam's attendance, an average of 65 people will compete for each civil servant opening next year. Before the test, it was estimated that about 86 contenders would vie for each opening.

According to the administration, the result of the writing exam will be published around January, while job interviews will be arranged by ministries and government bodies. The dates for the interviews have not yet been released.

Li Zhongxin, 31, let out a sigh of relief after finishing her test on Sunday.

"It was the second time I registered for the civil servant test. I was under greater pressure preparing for the test while still doing my job at an internet company in Beijing," she said, adding that she wished to switch to a more stable position at a government agency.

The nation plans to recruit 39,721 civil servants for central ministries and government bodies next year, slightly more than the 39,561 that were offered this year. Of those jobs, 26,700 are only open to new university graduates as part of government efforts to boost youth employment, according to the administration.

To qualify for civil servant recruitment, candidates must generally be 18 to 35 years old, but the age limit can be as high as 40 for those who are projected to complete their postgraduate or doctoral studies next year. The candidates must have a degree above the junior college level.

Xiao Geqin, vice-dean of continuing education college under Beijing Union University, told China Youth News, one of China's major news outlets, that most people want a civil servant position for its stability and secure salary, while many grassroots positions may face harsher working conditions. She said she hopes youths will choose to work at grassroots organizations if they are selected to be civil servants.