Wenyi Zhang
Research expert covering Greater China
Elderly care in China - statistics & facts
As a result of the long-standing family planning policy and rapid urbanization, the median age of China's population has risen significantly from 18 to nearly 40 in the last 50 years. With a clear trend towards an aging society, the proportion of senior citizens in China's population will continue to rise in the years to come. In a culture that especially respects the elderly, it is crucial to ensure their health, quality of life, and dignity. While other East Asian countries, especially South Korea and Japan, share similar demographic challenges, the care of the elderly population is particularly concerning in China as the country is getting older faster, with a less advanced economy.
Recent statistics indicate that three-quarters of Chinese people over 60 years of age suffer from long-term illnesses, while 43 percent even live with more than one chronic condition simultaneously. Cardiovascular diseases, cerebrovascular diseases, and cancer are now the leading causes of death in China, accounting for more than 70 percent of all mortality among the elderly population.
By the end of 2022, nearly 70 percent of China's tier two and tier three general hospitals have established their geriatrics departments, better facilitating the screening and treatment of common geriatric and chronic illnesses, thus improving the quality of health of senior citizens. Additionally, more primary medical institutions, including community health centers, township health centers, and village clinics now provide health monitoring and 12-week prescription services to the elderly, relieving them from the often stressful experience of regular hospital visits.
Institutions that offer decent services usually charge fees significantly higher than the average local pension, while even reputable service providers in the market remain unprofitable and are heavily dependent on government subsidies. A survey conducted in July 2023 revealed that the overall occupancy rate of nursing home beds in Beijing stood at only 38 percent.
With children of the one-child policy needing to care for their old parents, regulatory authorities embarked on the rollout of China's long-term care insurance (LTCI). LTCI ensures expenses can be partially reimbursed by the insurance fund upon admission to residential care institutions, thus alleviating the burden borne by the elderly and their families. Similar to China’s statutory medical insurance, the reimbursement rates and conditions in public elderly care facilities vary widely between regions, reflecting the significant regional disparities in China.
Geriatric medical care
The prevention and treatment of geriatric and chronic conditions are crucial to improving the quality of life of the elderly. While life expectancy among the Chinese population has recently exceeded 78 years, disease-free lifespan in the country remains below 70 years.Recent statistics indicate that three-quarters of Chinese people over 60 years of age suffer from long-term illnesses, while 43 percent even live with more than one chronic condition simultaneously. Cardiovascular diseases, cerebrovascular diseases, and cancer are now the leading causes of death in China, accounting for more than 70 percent of all mortality among the elderly population.
By the end of 2022, nearly 70 percent of China's tier two and tier three general hospitals have established their geriatrics departments, better facilitating the screening and treatment of common geriatric and chronic illnesses, thus improving the quality of health of senior citizens. Additionally, more primary medical institutions, including community health centers, township health centers, and village clinics now provide health monitoring and 12-week prescription services to the elderly, relieving them from the often stressful experience of regular hospital visits.
Elderly social care
Although China has around 40 million elderly with disabilities, occupancy of specialized care facilities in the country remains unusually low. This is partly attributed to traditional value of expecting support from one’s children, but also to economic reasons.Institutions that offer decent services usually charge fees significantly higher than the average local pension, while even reputable service providers in the market remain unprofitable and are heavily dependent on government subsidies. A survey conducted in July 2023 revealed that the overall occupancy rate of nursing home beds in Beijing stood at only 38 percent.
With children of the one-child policy needing to care for their old parents, regulatory authorities embarked on the rollout of China's long-term care insurance (LTCI). LTCI ensures expenses can be partially reimbursed by the insurance fund upon admission to residential care institutions, thus alleviating the burden borne by the elderly and their families. Similar to China’s statutory medical insurance, the reimbursement rates and conditions in public elderly care facilities vary widely between regions, reflecting the significant regional disparities in China.
