Why China’s dire demographic news signals need to adapt, focus on productivity

Ultimately, what really matters for dealing with an ageing society and a shrinking workforce is to make economic activities more robust

China should also work to build up an attractive living environment to improve people’s quality of life, rather than focusing on quantity

Paul Yip

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Published: 1:00am, 17 May, 2021

Updated: 1:13am, 17 May, 2021

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Paul Yip

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Paul Yip is the founding director of the Centre for Suicide Research and Prevention at the University of Hong Kong, and a professor at the university's Department of Social Work and Social Administration. His interests include suicide prevention, population health and poverty research. He serves as the secretary general of the Asian Population Association and the research chair of the Family Planning Association of Hong Kong. He was a part-time member of the Central Policy Unit and a member of the Hong Kong government's Steering Committee on Population Policy.

Why China’s dire demographic news signals need to adapt, focus on productivity

Ultimately, what really matters for dealing with an ageing society and a shrinking workforce is to make economic activities more robust China should also work to build up an attractive living environment to improve people’s quality of life, rather than focusing on quantity

Ultimately, what really matters for dealing with an ageing society and a shrinking workforce is to make economic activities more robust

China should also work to build up an attractive living environment to improve people’s quality of life, rather than focusing on quantity