China could become a ‘super-ageing society’

GUIYANG: China’s elderly population has been increasing rapidly and is estimated to hit around 400 million by the end of 2035, according to experts.

Since China became an “ageing society” in 2000, the elderly population has seen an annual increase of about 10 million people, Zheng Gongcheng, head of the China Association of Social Security (CAOSS), said at a forum held at the weekend in Guiyang, capital of Guizhou Province.

By the end of 2035, the elderly population could reach about 400 million, making China a “super-ageing society.”

By international standards, a country or region is considered to be an ageing society when those aged 65 or over account for 7 to 14% of the total population.

Once that amount goes over 14%, the country is considered a “super-ageing society”.

Zheng said China faces a grim condition in how to cope with the ageing population, with 240 million Chinese currently aged above 60, according to official data.

Elderly care services are developing rapidly, but also unevenly, he said. Elderly care services are already not enough to satisfy the nationwide demand, while unbalanced supply has also become a problem, Zheng said.

These services lack social participation and professional nursing staff.

There is also a battle between styles of nursing, such as modern and traditional methods. Zheng recommended that an industry-wide plan on elderly care services be formulated, which should be considered a new growth point for a sustainable national economy.

Training of professional elderly care staff should be enhanced and the legal system should be improved to protect the rights of the elderly.

CAOSS is an NGO focusing on social security studies, vocational education and training, and international exchanges on social security issues.