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China's ageing population

China's ageing population
The latest news, analysis and opinion on China's ageing population. In-depth analysis, industry insights and expert opinion.
An 89-year-old Chinese woman has made headlines after climbing from the 27th to the 21st floor of her high-rise building to escape a locked bedroom. Photo: SCMP composite/CCTV/RedNote
Trending in China

China woman, 89, climbs from 27th to 21st floor to escape locked bedroom goes viral

Fearless grandmother continues descent as firefighters rush to her rescue; is eventually moved inside high-rise block, suffers no injuries.

China consumption

Xi Jinping backs services sector to power China’s next growth phase

Mainland China

Demographic shift fuels growth in China’s elderly care, insurance sectors

Trending in China

China ‘left-behind aunties’, or senior girl group, get popular for charm, dancing

Lonely, disconnected elderly women find social links, confidence and an army of online fans with their joyous online routines.

A group of “left-behind aunties” in a village in China has gained popularity for their live-streaming performances; audiences are drawn to their charm and impressive dance skills. Photo: SCMP composite/Douyin
Trending in China

China grandma falls for AI-generated ‘bossy president’, writes ‘him’ love letters

84-year-old spends hours watching AI-generated humans, asks digital man if he ‘hates’ her, even thinks about marrying ‘him’.

Trending in China

China woman lives in nursing home, pays US$30 rent by being companion to residents

25-year-old says care venue ‘feels like home’; friendship scheme aims to ease work pressure on young, address ageing population problem.

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China society

Opinion | Why China’s AI automation push is a risky social experiment

Without reforms to improve wages, housing access and childcare, automation could entrench a low-fertility crisis and destabilise the social contract.

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A robot helps with a task during a media tour to the Beijing Humanoid Robot Pilot Verification Platform, in Beijing on March 20. Photo: EPA
Trending in China

Chinese man, 82, travels 12 hours daily for 105 days to visit wife in ICU

Farmer wakes at 4.30am every day to prepare meals for beloved wife, holds her hand by side of bed and reminisces about their life together.

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Trending in China

China woman uses AI-made man to lecture on respecting science, rejecting superstition

Non-existent retired professor who ‘lectures’ on parent-child relationships gathers online support from 200,000 followers.

Trending in China

China pet shop boss finds dumped cat with note, cash from elderly facing surgery

Story of kitten in a pet carrier containing clean food bowls left by owner no longer physically able to care for it moves millions online.

A Chinese pet shop owner discovered an abandoned cat left outside her store with a touching letter and cash from an elderly person facing surgery. Photo: SCMP composite/Shutterstock/Douyin
Trending in China

Chinese man posts a big note on mum-in-law’s suitcase to help her on solo travels

Thoughtful son-in-law goes the extra mile to make sure illiterate woman in her 60s is safe; Good Samaritan student on same flight offers help.

A Chinese man helped his illiterate mother-in-law, who does not speak Mandarin, by posting a note on her suitcase before her solo trip, moving millions online. Photo: SCMP composite/RedNote/caacnews.com.cn
Trending in China

How a 102-year-old ‘baby’ in China has been hospital-free for 50 years

‘Cheerful’ centenarian with sharp eyesight, nimble hands still mend shoes and socks; values family harmony above all else.

China consumption

Beijing urged to boost rural pensions as lawmakers fight for farmers’ fair share

Appeals highlight a long-standing lack of benefits for elderly citizens outside cities, and proposals include leveraging state assets and new taxes to bridge the vast disparity.

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Trending in China

Chinese woman, 63, welcomes baby girl via IVF following loss of only child

The woman and her husband believe the baby will give them the strength to move forward.

A 63-year-old Chinese woman, who tragically lost her only son, has recently welcomed a baby girl after conceiving through IVF. Photo: Douyin
Two Sessions 2026

China to pursue commercial health insurance to ease strain, support innovation

Commercial health insurance enters China’s policy agenda as an ageing population and costs strain basic coverage.

The move signals efforts to strengthen the country’s social safety net and support the growth of innovative drugs and medical devices. Photo: Getty Images
Trending in China

China actress, 75, sparks debate playing teen, kissing much younger actor in TV drama

Gender equality activist questions if same criticism would arise if a male actor 30 years older than his female co-star took on similar role.

Trending in China

China ‘parenting parents’ trend sees youth teach adults skills like taking selfies

Young people seek to address their problematic upbringing by turning the tables and becoming ‘mum or dad’ to the people who brought them up.

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Trending in China

‘Kind-hearted’ China grandma pays with hell money at food stalls, vendors agree

70-something grandmother ‘buys’ roasted chicken skewers, cakes, steamed stuffed buns using items she finds on road.

A 70-year-old Chinese woman has used so-called hell money for purchases in her neighbourhood for years and stall owners accept it without complaint. Photo: SCMP composite/Douyin
Trending in China

China seniors pursue overseas education after retirement to realise dreams

Increasing demand from retirees leaves country facing challenge of finding ‘deeper’ learning strategies, not just ‘hobby’ courses.

China's population

China and South Korea team up on a vexing issue: their fast-ageing populations

After years of tense relations, the two nations are finding common ground over their need to adapt to an era of ‘super-aged societies’.

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China's population

Glimmer of hope? Why China’s marriage uptick could spark 2026 birth rebound

Double-digit jump in registration rate, boosted by policy and cultural tradition, offers modest upturn, but demographers are wary of weak fertility intentions.

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A couple participates in a group wedding in August, in China’s Guangdong province. Photo: Getty Images
Ageing society

Opinion | Hong Kong should see the ‘silver economy’ as a golden opportunity

The city could reframe its ageing trend by working to become a global capital for ‘longevity finance’ and supporting East-West healthcare innovations.

An elderly woman sits on a chair on the road in front of a fruit and vegetable seller in a market in Causeway Bay in December 2024. Photo: Antony Dickson
China society

Opinion | A loneliness crisis is the price China is paying for rapid modernisation

As migrant workers head home for the Lunar New Year break, it is a good time to reflect on how the loneliness that has gripped Chinese society can be alleviated.

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Trending in China

Why young China viewers are being drawn to dating shows with older contestants

South Korean-influenced reality shows rise in popularity, in part driven by mature women who are brutally honest about the men taking part.

Hong Kong population

Opinion | Boost birth rates? Governments should focus on the population they have

Instead of growing the population at all costs, governments should be practically addressing longer life expectancies.

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People shop with their pets in New Town Plaza in Sha Tin, on September 21, 2025. Photo: Sam Tsang
Trending in China

Silver surfers: how China ‘granfluencers’ steal spotlight, taking over social media

Some firms managing granfluencers exploit young people’s compassion by scheduling late-night live-streams for seniors to encourage tipping.

China is experiencing a surge in “granfluencers,” senior social media creators, driven by a significant rise in internet use among the elderly, aged 60 and older. Photo: SCMP composite/RedNote
China economy

Opinion | China’s real constraint is where to direct limited fiscal resources

With Beijing focusing on spending priorities, Asian investors and businesses must watch which provinces, sectors and state firms are favoured.

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Mainland China

Silver bullet: New Oriental strategy pivots to China’s silver economy

China’s leading private education firm tests new growth paths, amid demographic shifts and softer demand for US-bound study.

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