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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.
A senior resident interacts with ‘Xia Lan,’ a humanoid robot, at Shenzhen Nursing Home in Shenzhen, Guangdong province, March 3, 2025. Photo: Xinhua
Mainland China

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

Powered by AI, the silver economy is driving product innovation and unlocking substantial new consumption growth.

Trending in China

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

Trending in China

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

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.

A 25-year-old woman in China has lived in a nursing home for over two years, paying just US$30 monthly rent by providing companionship to elderly fellow residents. Photo: SCMP composite/Douyin
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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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.

A young Chinese woman created a WeChat newsfeed account, using artificial intelligence to develop a persona of an acclaimed middle-aged man who lectures on the importance of respecting science and rejecting superstition. Photo: SCMP composite/Shutterstock/Douyin
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.

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.

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.

A 102-year-old woman in China, nicknamed “Old Baby,” is notable for her longevity tips, including sleeping 15 hours a day, enjoying pig trotters and Chinese wine. Photo: SCMP composite/Shutterstock/Douyin
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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An elderly Chinese farmer works a vegetable field in Anhui province. Photo: Getty Images
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.

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.

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.

Chinese actress Liu Xiaoqing, 75, recently sparked controversy by portraying a young woman in a mini-drama and engaging in a passionate kiss with a male actor 30 years her junior. Photo: SCMP composite/YouTube/Sina
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.

A “parenting parents” trend has become popular among young Chinese people, who share experiences teaching their parents modern skills like taking selfies and applying skincare products. Photo: Shutterstock
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.

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.

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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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An elderly resident interacts with a humanoid robot at a care home in Shenzhen, China’s southern Guangdong province. Photo: Xinhua
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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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.

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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Travellers wait with their luggage at Tianjin Railway Station as people begin returning home ahead of the Spring Festival in Tianjin, China, on February 7. Photo: AP
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.

Young viewers in China are increasingly drawn to dating reality shows which feature older contestants. Since 2018, China has embraced the genre, influenced by South Korean formats. Photo: SCMP composite/Shutterstock/Weibo
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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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 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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An employee works on a production line at a motorcycle company in Tongren city, in southwest China’s Guizhou province, on January 27. As part of its industrial upgrading, China must direct sustained state financing to support semiconductor ecosystems, advanced manufacturing and strategic technologies. Photo: Xinhua
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.

New Oriental has been steadily expanding its senior-focused offerings. Photo: Shutterstock
China's population

‘Loneliness economy’: how China is adapting to a rapid rise in solo living

The viral success of check-in app Are You Dead? has exposed the vast demand for services catering to China’s rapidly growing single population.

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Hong Kong society

Opinion | Hong Kong must tackle the challenges of a super-aged society head on

With both Hong Kong and mainland China unlikely to be able to reverse the decline in birth rates, investing effectively in human capital is crucial.

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