In 2020, about 17.9 percent of the population in China had been 60 years and older. This share is growing rapidly and was estimated to reach 40 percent by 2050. China's aging population With China’s boomer generation growing old and life expectancy increasing at the same time, the number of people at an age of 60 or above nearly doubled between 2000 and 2020 and reached around 255 million. This development is even more pronounced for the age group of 80 and above, which nearly tripled and is expected to reach a size of roughly 132 million in 2050, up from only 32 million in 2020. At the same time, the share of the working-age population is forecasted to decrease gradually from 64 percent of the total population in 2020 to around 50 percent in 2050, which could pose a heavy economic strain on the social security system. The old-age dependency ratio, which denotes the relation of the old-age to the working-age population, is estimated to grow from 18.2 percent in 2020 to more than 50 percent in 2050, implying that by then, statistically, two working-age adults would have to support one elderly. Strain on the social security net During the last 15 years, China's government has successfully increased the coverage of the pension insurance and health insurance. Today, most of the people are covered by some kind of social insurance. Conditions in the pension system are generous, with a regular retirement age for males at 60 years and women at 50 or 55. With the number of retirees increasing quickly, the social insurance system is now under pressure. From an economic point of view, improving the productivity of China's economy would be the primary choice for mitigating alleged inconsistencies of the system. However, without increasing the burden on the working people while tightening payment conditions, balancing the social security net could prove to be challenging.

Elderly literacy rate, population 65+ years, both sexes (%) in China was reported at 84.95 % in 2018, according to the World Bank collection of development indicators, compiled from officially recognized sources. China - Elderly literacy rate, population 65+ years, both sexes - actual values, historical data, forecasts and projections were sourced from the World Bank on July of 2025.

In 2020, about 12.65 percent of the population in China was of an age of 65 years and over. The share of the population aged 65 and older has been increasing since the 1970s and is expected to grow further until the late 2080s.

According to the age distribution of China's population in 2024, approximately 68.6 percent of the population were in their working age between 15 and 64 years of age. Retirees aged 65 years and above made up about 15.6 percent of the total population. Age distribution in China As can be seen from this statistic, the age pyramid in China has been gradually shifting towards older demographics during the past decade. Mainly due to low birth rates in China, the age group of 0 to 14 year-olds has remained at around 16 to 17 percent since 2010, whereas the age groups 65 years and over have seen growth of nearly seven percentage points. Thus, the median age of the Chinese population has been constantly rising since 1970 and is forecast to reach 52 years by 2050. Accompanied by a slightly growing mortality rate of more than 7 per thousand, China is showing strong signs of an aging population. China's aging society The impact of this severe change in demographics is the subject of an ongoing scientific discussion. Rising standards of living in China contain the demand for better health care and pension insurance for retirees, which will be hard to meet with the social insurance system in China still being in its infancy. Per capita expenditure on medical care and services of urban households has grown more than ninefold since 2000 with a clear and distinctive upward trend for the near future. As for social security spending, public pension expenditure is forecast to take up approximately nine percent of China's GDP by 2050.

As the population in China is aging, the number of internet users aged above 65 years was projected to reach 75 million by 2021. The silver market could be another revenue stream for Chinese internet companies if they can cater to the special needs of elderly people.

Population ages 65 and above (% of total population) in China was reported at 14.67 % in 2024, according to the World Bank collection of development indicators, compiled from officially recognized sources. China - Population ages 65 and above (% of total) - actual values, historical data, forecasts and projections were sourced from the World Bank on July of 2025.

The Yangtze River Delta urban agglomeration (YRDUA) is China’s most representative region with remarkable economic development vitality. The purpose of this study is to provide valuable data analysis to actively respond to the population aging in China. We mainly focus on the spatial and temporal evolution of population aging in YRDUA from 2000 to 2020 using city-level population data. This study constructs a multi-dimensional index system to measure population aging including population aging degree, speed, and density. It finds out: (1) the elderly population rate (EPR), the elder-child ratio (ECR), and the elderly dependency ratio (EDR) in the YRDUA area are gradually increasing from 2000 to 2020. In addition, the trends of these indicators in various cities and regions are relatively consistent. All 27 cities in YRDUA entered an aging society, from the primary to the moderate aging stage from 2000 to 2010 and from the moderate to the hyper aging stage from 2010 to 2020. (2) the absolute and relative growth rate of EPR is increasing from 2000 to 2020. However, the absolute and relative growth rate of ECR is increasing from 2000 to 2010 and then decreasing from 2010 to 2020. These results indicate that the two-child policy adopted by the Chinese government plays a positive role. (3) the density level of the elderly population in the YRDUA evolved from low in 2000 to middle in 2010 and then to high in 2020. (4) There are remarkable differences in the process of population aging among three provinces and one city. The contribution of this study is mainly reflected in two aspects: firstly, it constructs a multi-dimensional index system to measure population aging; secondly, using this multi-dimensional index system, it systematically observes the spatial and temporal evolution of population aging from 2000 to 2020 in the Yangtze River Delta Urban Agglomeration.

The China assisted living market is experiencing robust growth, driven by an aging population, increasing disposable incomes, and a rising awareness of senior care needs. With a CAGR exceeding 12% since 2019 and a projected market size of (estimated) $XX million in 2025, this sector presents significant investment opportunities. Key drivers include government initiatives promoting senior care infrastructure development, urbanization leading to increased demand for professional care services, and a growing preference for non-family-based living arrangements among older adults. The market is segmented geographically, with Shanghai, Beijing, Chongqing, Wuhan, and Chengdu representing significant hubs of activity. Leading players like China Vanke, Sino-Ocean Group, and Taikang Life are actively shaping the market landscape through strategic investments and service innovations. However, challenges remain, including the high cost of high-quality assisted living, limited availability of skilled professionals, and regional disparities in service provision. Future growth will depend on overcoming these restraints through strategic partnerships, technological advancements (such as telehealth integration), and continuous improvement in service standards to meet the evolving needs of an increasingly aging populace. The forecast period (2025-2033) anticipates continued market expansion, fueled by sustained demographic shifts and government policies that aim to improve the overall quality of senior care. While challenges related to staffing and affordability will persist, innovative service models and technological advancements are expected to mitigate some of these pressures. The expansion into secondary and tertiary cities presents a significant avenue for growth, as demand for assisted living solutions expands beyond the major metropolitan areas. Successful players will be those who can adapt quickly to changing regulatory landscapes, deliver cost-effective and high-quality services, and effectively address the diverse needs of their residents. Recent developments include: In September 2021, the Grand Opening of Lendlease's landmark senior living project in Qingpu, Shanghai, was announced. Ardo Gardens provides a welcoming and well-being-focused environment for seniors to live vibrant and active lives, supported by luxury facilities and the best services., In May 2021, New China Life Insurance Co. Ltd opened a new elderly care community in Beijing's Yanqing district, totaling 280,000 sq. m and 2,000 apartments. The community will provide about 200 long-term apartments tailored for the elderly and 100 short-term guest rooms in the project's first phase, along with entertainment, catering, sports, medical care, social exchange, and wealth management services.. Notable trends are: Increase in Senior Population and Life Expectancy.

This dataset is the 2024 physical examination data of the elderly population in the Physical Examination Center of the Affiliated Hospital of Southwest Medical University. The content of this dataset involves 32 variables for 2635 people, with whether or not they have MAFLD as the ending, and the rest are various laboratory and anthropometric indicators, and the table does not involve missing data.

Speed of population aging in Yangtze river delta urban agglomeration (2000–2010).

Elderly illiterate population, 65+ years, both sexes (number) in China was reported at 23457964 Persons in 2018, according to the World Bank collection of development indicators, compiled from officially recognized sources. China - Elderly illiterate population, 65+ years, both sexes - actual values, historical data, forecasts and projections were sourced from the World Bank on June of 2025.

China Elderly Dependency Ratio data was reported at 21.800 % in 2022. This records an increase from the previous number of 20.800 % for 2021. China Elderly Dependency Ratio data is updated yearly, averaging 10.700 % from Dec 1982 (Median) to 2022, with 35 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 21.800 % in 2022 and a record low of 8.000 % in 1982. China Elderly Dependency Ratio data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by National Bureau of Statistics. The data is categorized under China Premium Database’s Socio-Demographic – Table CN.GA: Population: Sample Survey: Elderly Dependency Ratio: By Region.

Population aging degree of Yangtze River Delta Urban Agglomeration in 2000, 2010 and 2020.

The graph shows the share of the population aged 80 and over in China from 1950 to 2020, with forecasts up until 2100. In 2020, about 2.3 percent of the population in China was 80 years of age and over.

Age dependency ratio (% of working-age population) in China was reported at 44.24 % in 2024, according to the World Bank collection of development indicators, compiled from officially recognized sources. China - Age dependency ratio (% of working-age population) - actual values, historical data, forecasts and projections were sourced from the World Bank on July of 2025.

In 2024, approximately 965.65 million people in China were of working age between 15 and 64 years. This was equal to a 68.3 percent share of the total population. Age groups between 30 and 59 years represented the largest age cohorts in the Chinese population pyramid. Age demographics in China The change in China’s age distribution over time displayed in the given statistic illustrates the unfolding of an aging population. As the fertility rate in China declined and life expectancy increased, the only age groups that have been growing over the last three decades were those of old people. In contrast, the number of children decreased gradually between 1995 and 2010 and remained comparatively low thereafter. According to the data provided by the National Bureau of Statistics of China, which has not been revised for years before the 2020 census, the size of the working age population declined in 2014 for the first time and entered a downward trajectory thereafter. This development has extended itself into the total population, which has shrunk in 2022 for the first time in decades. Future age development As the fertility rate in China is expected to remain below the reproductive level, the Chinese society will very likely age rapidly. According to UN data, which is based on figures slightly different from the Chinese official numbers, the share of the population above 60 years of age is projected to reach nearly 40 percent in 2050, while the share of children is expected to remain stable. This will lead to an increased burden of the old-age population on the social security system, illustrated by an old-age dependency ratio peaking at nearly 106 percent in 2090. This means that by then, ten working-age adults would have to support nine elderly people.

Graph and download economic data for Age Dependency Ratio: Older Dependents to Working-Age Population for China (SPPOPDPNDOLCHN) from 1960 to 2024 about 64 years +, working-age, ratio, China, and population.

Elderly Dependency Ratio(Sample Survey): Shanghai data was reported at 23.990 % in 2021. This records an increase from the previous number of 22.020 % for 2020. Elderly Dependency Ratio(Sample Survey): Shanghai data is updated yearly, averaging 17.850 % from Dec 2002 (Median) to 2021, with 20 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 23.990 % in 2021 and a record low of 9.400 % in 2011. Elderly Dependency Ratio(Sample Survey): Shanghai data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by National Bureau of Statistics. The data is categorized under China Premium Database’s Socio-Demographic – Table CN.GA: Population: Sample Survey: Elderly Dependency Ratio: By Region.

Elderly literacy rate, population 65+ years, female (%) in China was reported at 77.97 % in 2018, according to the World Bank collection of development indicators, compiled from officially recognized sources. China - Elderly literacy rate, population 65+ years, female - actual values, historical data, forecasts and projections were sourced from the World Bank on July of 2025.

Unlike many other countries, the COVID-19 vaccination rate among the elderly population in China is lower than that among other age groups. As of March 17, 2022, only around half of the Chinese residents aged 80 years and older were fully vaccinated against COVID-19, while less than 20 percent had received a booster shot. In comparison, as of March 22, 2022, 98 percent of Japanese elderlies between 80 and 89 years are fully vaccinated against COVID-19.