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China's ageing population

China's ageing population
The latest news, analysis and opinion on China's ageing population. In-depth analysis, industry insights and expert opinion.
Retirees make up a fast-growing segment of China’s vast outbound tourism market. Photo: EPA/STR
China travel

‘Vast untapped market’: how China’s elderly are transforming global tourism

Over-65s make up a fast-growing segment of China’s vast outbound travel market – and they tend to be big spenders.

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Lessons from China's history

Reflections | Let old people earn our respect. They do not have a divine right to it

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Trending in China

‘Shameful’: China woman buys flat for old professor she cares for, sparks dispute

Ageing society

Former officials call for parity, reform in China’s pension system

The current pension structure is too lopsided to provide adequate benefits to those in poorer regions, former banking officials say at Boao Forum.

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China’s basic pension system should be reformed to ensure benefits are fairly distribution and coverage is adequate, former banking officials said. Photo: Xinhua
China's population

Can birth subsidies save China from its looming population crisis?

China is betting big on birth subsidies to stave off a demographic crisis. But do cash payments really work?

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Trending in China

China seniors adopt quirky workouts – crocodile crawl, tree-bumping for longevity

Obsession with longevity drives many to pursue unconventional health routines to boost vitality.

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Trending in China

This 39-year-old China grandma goes viral online in clip feeding infant grandson

Internet users in awe over ‘slim, young’ grandma with 20,000 online fans who feeds grandson as daughter-in-law rests nearby.

A 39-year-old grandmother has shocked mainland social media with her youthful looks in a viral video of her feeding her infant grandson. Photo: SCMP composite/Douyin
Trending in China

Chinese woman, 103, dies after 80-year wait for husband who worked abroad

Centenarian never gave up hope of finding her absent husband whose last letter to her was in 1952, family say she was ‘at peace’ when she passed.

China jobs

Job market bias against over-35s targeted by Chinese lawmakers

With millions of university graduates entering the labour force each year, many companies prefer younger, lower-paid employees.

Two Sessions 2025

China urged to prepare students for challenges of AI and ageing population

At ‘two sessions’, Chinese lawmakers and political advisers call for changes to education system to ‘solve future problems’.

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Some lawmakers warn that China’s universities do not offer enough specialised medical programmes focused on treating the elderly. Photo: Peking University
Two Sessions 2025

China, it’s time for ‘the talk’: sex education urged for children

Years after Beijing called for ‘age-appropriate sex education for minors’, a national curriculum remains absent as China’s demographic crisis worsens.

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China’s National Health Commission is working with other departments to iron out details for a nationwide birth-subsidy plan that aims to incentivise parents to have children. Photo: Getty Images
Two Sessions 2025

Is free preschool education the solution to China’s birth crisis?

The policy idea appears to be gaining momentum in China, with a proposal set to be made at this week’s ‘two sessions’.

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China's economic recovery

China takes leading role in setting global standards for senior care robots

Chinese experts were heavily involved in coordinating the process that will shape the future of a key emerging industry.

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Trending in China

China grandmas fall head over heels for ‘AI grandsons’ who cook, spread laughter

AI grandsons delight grandmas, but when family members point out their artificial nature, it only frustrates them.

AI grandsons bring joy to their grandmothers with adorable acts, offering companionship and emotional support to ease loneliness. Photo: SCMP composite/Shutterstock/RedNote
Ageing society

How China’s adoption laws risk freezing children out of family life

Strict rules designed to protect children mean large numbers of would-be adopters are facing a near-impossible task.

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Illustration: Brian Wang
Trending in China

China potter crafts special urn for late wife, plans reunion by blending their ashes

Husband who worked on ancient pottery craft with late wife pays touching tribute to love of his life so they can spend eternity in heaven together.

China's population

As rising costs hit health insurance funds, how can China stem the bloodletting?

What happens when China’s ageing population meets a rising reluctance among healthy people to pay for voluntary insurance?

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China society

Opinion | How China can become an education powerhouse

From smaller class sizes to better access to schools and shorter semesters, key examples in other countries can help Beijing overhaul its education sector.

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Graduates sit by a Chinese flag during a graduation ceremony at Fudan University in Shanghai, in June 2013. Photo: Reuters
Wellness

China’s rural healthcare challenge: spend more or move people to cities

With doctors and medical students avoiding China’s rural hospitals because of low pay, villagers don’t receive adequate healthcare.

China's economic recovery

Pet healthcare booms in China as furry friends outnumber infants and toddlers

Pet economy offers better career prospects as clinics and hospitals open across country.

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China's population

No more ‘dragon babies’: China’s birth figures likely to tumble again in 2025

When China recorded an uptick in births last year, some argued the country’s baby bust may be ending. But those hopes are likely to be dashed in 2025, demographers say.

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China is likely to see another decline in the number of new births in 2025, demographers say. Photo: Getty Images
Trending in China

China live-streamer calls woman ‘mum’, uses emotion to scam her out of US$76,000

Online racketeer pretends to be like elderly woman’s loving son, convinces her to hand over large sums, is eventually snared by police.

A live-streamer in China has conned an elderly woman out of US$76,000 by convincing her he was like a real son to her. Photo: SCMP composite/Shutterstock
China's population

China’s population drops for third year in a row despite uptick in births

Though China’s birth rate rose this year after an all-time low in 2023, the country’s overall population continued its decline.

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China GDP

China meets annual GDP target with 5% growth in 2024 – as it happened

The National Bureau of Statistics published GDP and population numbers for 2024, data that will inform policy decisions for the year ahead.

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China birth rate

Chinese city bucks birth rate decline as cash incentives bear fruit

A city in China has defied national trends and reported a 17 per cent increase in births, credited to sizeable cash payments for parents.

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Numerous cities in China are offering incentives to encourage their residents to have more children. Photo: Getty Images
China society

Opinion | China’s work culture must change to give young people hope again

Shifting economic and societal forces are giving thoughtful leaders a chance to abandon crushing overwork and embrace a new corporate culture.

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People enjoy a day out at Dameisha beach in Shenzhen on January 6, 2024. Photo: Yik Yeung-man
China's population

China’s cabinet is calling in humanoid robots to care for granny

To address its rapidly ageing population, China is among the first nations to set policy plans for humanoid robots that will provide companionship, monitor health and may even resemble loved ones.

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Singapore

In China’s surging silver economy, Singapore hospital chain sees golden gains

With more than 400 million Chinese set to enter their 60s over the coming decade, China faces an unprecedented healthcare challenge.

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