Ageing in China

1
Ageing in China
Percent of Elderly (65) in Chinas Population,
1950-2050
Due to vast improvements in health over the past
five decades, life expectancy at birth has
increased by two-thirds from 40.8 to 71.5 years
between 1955 and 2005. The percent of elderly in
China is projected to triple from 8 percent to 24
percent between 2006 and 2050.
Source World Population Prospects The 2004
Revision (2005).
2
Chinas Age Distribution
Population Structures by Age and Sex - percent
1950
2000
2050
80 75-79 70-74 65-69 60-64 55-59 50-54 45-49
40-44 35-39 30-34 25-29 20-24 15-19 10-14 5-9 0-4
80 75-79 70-74 65-69 60-64 55-59 50-54 45-49
40-44 35-39 30-34 25-29 20-24 15-19 10-14 5-9 0-4
These population pyramids illustrate Chinas
shrinking young and working-age population and
growing elderly population.
3
Chinas Age Distribution
Population Structures by Age and Sex - percent
1950
2000
2050
80 75-79 70-74 65-69 60-64 55-59 50-54 45-49
40-44 35-39 30-34 25-29 20-24 15-19 10-14 5-9 0-4
80 75-79 70-74 65-69 60-64 55-59 50-54 45-49
40-44 35-39 30-34 25-29 20-24 15-19 10-14 5-9 0-4
Dramatic fertility decline (due to the success of
the one-child policy) and improved longevity
over the past two decades are causing the rapid
ageing of Chinas population. China now faces
the prospect of having too few children to
support its rapidly ageing population. Meeting
the health and long-term care needs of this
growing elderly population will result in soaring
health care costs and fewer working-age people to
share the burden.