Key facts
- China's elderly dependency ratio surpassed that of children for the first time.
- Over 223 million people are aged 65 and above, representing nearly 16% of the population.
- Around 213 million children are aged 14 and under.
Families in China are now supporting more elderly individuals than children for the first time, according to official government data. The ratio of dependent elderly people to the working-age population reached 23% last year, surpassing the 22% ratio for children. This demographic shift is attributed to factors including past birth cohort sizes, longer life expectancy, and the legacy of the one-child policy. The trend could strain pension and healthcare systems while also creating opportunities in the silver economy.