More services for elderly proposed

Report reveals one in five people were over the age of 60 in nation last year

Population experts are calling for more optimized services and expanded pension services to offset challenges brought by China's aging population and the increasing pressure on the nation's healthcare and social security systems, while tapping the potential of the elderly to be better involved in social activities.

A recent report by the Ministry of Civil Affairs shows that as of the end of last year, there were about 280 million people aged above 60, accounting for 19.8 percent of China's population. That was up from around 267 million at the end of 2021.

As of the end of last year, the ratio of the non-working-age population to the working-age population reached 21.8 percent.

Peng Xizhe, director of the Center for Population and Development Policy Studies with Fudan University in Shanghai, said that China is facing a rapidly aging population, which won't be fixed quickly due to the declining birthrate.

"China experienced a 'baby boom' around 1963 to 1964, and with those people becoming old in the coming years, the nation is seeing a quickly growing aging population. Also, the decreasing birthrate makes the elderly people account for a larger proportion of the total population. The aging problem will continue for some time as the nation faces difficulty promoting the birthrate," he stressed.

He added that while the aging population hasn't placed greater pressure on social and economic operations so far, it may increase burdens on the nation's healthcare and social security resources in the near future.

"It's of great importance for the whole society and the elderly people themselves to change the traditional view of the aging problem as the elderly ones now have much better health conditions, mobility and a more sound education background. The 'younger' elderly have the ability to get involved in social activities, serve as volunteers or help their children manage family affairs.

"They are not 'burdens' on society. But improved employment and policies tailored for the elderly are still needed to encourage them to get back into society," he added. "It's also important to improve social services and healthcare for the elderly to slow or reduce their possibility of getting diseases, thus relieving family and social pressures. And the elderly can get a sense of security and happiness."

According to the civil affairs ministry's report, the nation has optimized services for the elderly by expanding pension services facilities such as nursing homes and barrier-free facilities in more city-level residential communities and setting up pension service majors at vocational schools.

The report said that as of the end of last year, the nation had built around 387,000 nursing homes or facilities offering services to the elderly. These facilities offered about 8.29 million beds to the elderly.