More elderly need care as China turns gray

By Xie Chuanjiao (China Daily)
Updated: 2009-02-07 10:46

China will see a big surge in the aging of its population this year, after it entered the list of aging societies in 2005, Vice-Premier Hui Liangyu said on Thursday.

"This year will see a major increase in the population of the elderly, especially those who are more than 80 years old," Hui told an annual national aging work conference.

"There will also be an increase in 'empty-nest' families," he said, referring to old people living without their children.

By the end of last year, the population that is 60 years old and above reached nearly 160 million, 6 million more than 2007. They account for 12 percent of China's population.

Hui said the international financial crisis would have a large impact on the country's economic development, which in turn would bring new challenges to the aging population.

He said the country would move quickly to establish a social security system for the elderly, including a pension system, basic medical insurance and minimum life insurance.

"We encourage the input of private funds into such services and industries," he added.

Aging issues in rural areas will intensify and this will entail building systems to look after them and construct infrastructure and facilities.

"We must pay great attention to help solve their day-to-day difficulties, especially the elderly in the countryside," Hui said.

Guo Ping, a professor with China Research Center on Aging, said yesterday China now faces mounting pressure from a growing silver population because of a baby boom in the 1950s.

In Lanzhou, capital of Gansu province, the population of 60 years and above has reached 382,900, 12.3 percent of the total, and it is expected to cross the 14 percent mark by the end of 2010, Lanzhou Daily reported yesterday.

The city has started allocating allowances of 700 yuan ($102) to 1,200 yuan for elderly people who are 90 years of age or above.

Du Peng, a professor with Renmin University of China, called for the establishment of a social security system to help the elderly.

"Many of them (the elderly) have neither children to take care of them nor access to community services," Du said.