China Records Demographic Shift as Elderly Dependency Outpaces Youth

A Demographic Milestone

Official data from China’s National Bureau of Statistics reveals a historic shift: for the first time, the country supports more elderly citizens than children. In 2025, the elderly dependency ratio reached 23%, surpassing the 22% ratio for children aged 14 and under.

Economic Implications

With over 223 million people aged 65 and older, this demographic transition poses long-term challenges for pension funds, healthcare systems, and national economic growth. Analysts note that a shrinking workforce may reduce consumer spending power and strain public infrastructure originally oriented toward schools and families. The shift follows decades of declining birth rates, compounded by the legacy of the one-child policy and rising living costs. While state outlets highlight opportunities within a growing "silver economy," experts urge caution, noting that dependency statistics may overlook the active contributions of older generations. Readers can track updates via the National Bureau of Statistics.

Source: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cr20wzwyzl1qo