AI Image
China's families are now supporting more old people than kids
BBC • • world
Key Points:
- For the first time, families in China are supporting more elderly people than children, with the elderly dependency ratio rising to 23% compared to 22% for children, according to recent government data.
- The shift reflects China's aging population, driven by factors such as the one-child policy, longer life expectancy, urbanization, and changing social dynamics, which could strain pensions, healthcare, and long-term care systems.
- China now has over 223 million people aged 65 and above, making up nearly 16% of the population, while children aged 14 and under number about 213 million.
- The demographic change may limit economic growth and consumer spending power, prompting the government to increase financial support for the elderly and emphasize care for older people in its economic plans.
- Despite policy efforts to encourage higher birth rates, factors like rising living costs and changing gender roles have kept birth rates at historic lows, complicating efforts to balance the age structure.
