World · East Asia & Pacific · 3 hrs ago
China's elderly dependency ratio surpasses its child dependency ratio
China's elderly dependency ratio reached 23% last year, exceeding the 22% ratio for children for the first time.
The figures compare the number of older people or children with the working-age population.
China has more than 223 million people aged 65 and over, nearly 16% of its population, while about 213 million people are aged 14 or younger.
A growing elderly population and fewer young people mean fewer workers may be available to support older relatives.
Rapid urbanisation and the former one-child policy, which ran from 1980 to the end of 2015, are among the factors behind the shift.
The change could constrain economic growth and consumer spending, with possible effects on the wider global economy.
China's government is encouraging young people to marry and have more children as the older population grows.
China’s elderly dependency ratio reached 23% last year, surpassing the child dependency ratio of 22% for the first time.
More than 223 million people in China are aged 65 or older, nearly 16% of the population.
About 213 million children are aged 14 or younger.
The aging population is linked to rapid urbanization and the effects of the one-child policy, which ran from 1980 to the end of 2015.
Sociologist Mu Zheng said the trend could constrain economic growth and people’s purchasing power.
- Who
- China’s older people and children, relative to the working-age population.
- What
- The elderly dependency ratio reached 23%, exceeding the child dependency ratio of 22%.
- When
- Last year, according to the official data cited in the article.
- Where
- China.
- Why
- The article links population aging to rapid urbanization and the effects of the one-child policy.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
China’s one-child policy began.
The one-child policy ended.
China’s elderly dependency ratio reached 23%, exceeding the child dependency ratio of 22%.
- Elderly dependency ratio
- 23% last year
- Child dependency ratio
- 22% last year
- People aged 65 or older
- More than 223 million
- Share of population aged 65 or older
- Nearly 16%
- Children aged 14 or younger
- About 213 million
- One-child policy
- 1980 to the end of 2015