When you think of population growth in China, one phrase may come to your mind: one child policy. But, the number of babies joining China’s citizenry is not the only population figure the country is concerned about. The elderly population is seeing a boom in longevity and their numbers are set to rise exponentially over the next four decades.
Population
Chinese over sixty make up 12.5% of China’s population--that’s 167 million people, and the number isn’t set to peak until 2050 when it will reach an estimated 400 million. In 2009, the elderly population grew at its fastest pace ever, adding 7.25 million to its number (Office of the China National Committee on Aging). While the current life expectancy is 73 years, the number of octogenarians is also on the rise. According to the government, this age category will also grow by 1 million annually, ultimately raising the country’s life expectancy rate as China’s poverty decreases and quality of healthcare increases.
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