• China is a rapidly graying country with those aged 60 or above reaching 267 million or 18.9% of the total population, and this may rise to one-third of the population before 2050.
• Welfare reform must work in tandem with social policy so as to make active aging an integral part of economic growth, linking health to wealth and common prosperity.
• Healthcare, labour reskilling and gender parity are three areas of focus for domestic policy to solve the challenges of China’s aging population.

As the second-largest economy in the world in 2022, China faces at once the challenges and the opportunities brought about by the Fourth Industrial Revolution. It presents a case where the demographic challenges of an aging population and gender disparity may be fruitfully solved by the measured use of digital technology as the country continues its transition to a greener, data-driven new economy. Healthcare, labour reskilling and gender parity are three areas of focus for domestic policy.

Vision 2025: Grow together, thrive up
To address the set of interlocked challenges that China faces, a vision of inclusive and sustainable growth that pays particular attention to the elderly and women should be set forth.

China is a rapidly graying country with those aged 60 or above reaching 267 million, or 18.9% of the total population, which may reach one-third before 2050. With a falling fertility rate and an early retirement age, existing welfare infrastructure will be increasingly under duress. Revamping the welfare system is critical for China to maintain its competitiveness and the wellbeing of its citizens. A solution to China’s aging population is the upgrading of healthcare services to become better integrated, age-friendly and wellness-oriented. Importantly, welfare reform must work in tandem with social policy so as to make active aging an integral part of economic growth, linking health to wealth and common prosperity.

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