Quantitative Analysis on the Eldercare Labor Shortfall in China

With the development of economy and society, the average life expectancy is increasing, life expectancy in China has reached 78.2 years by 2021, China has truly entered the era of longevity. As population aging accelerates, population aged 60 and above in China increases very fast. Aging population reached 296.97 million at the end of 2023, accounting for 21.1% of the total population already crossing the threshold moderate population aging level. According to the predicted data of the World Population Prospects 2022 (WPP2022) released by the United Nations (UN), the proportion of aging population in China during the 14th Five-Year Plan period will reach more than 20%, officially entering the stage of moderate population aging; and it will reach more than 30% and enter the era of severe population aging around 2035.