Innovation drives quality upgrade of Beijing's silver economy

As China's demographic landscape shifts, Beijing is accelerating the development of its "silver economy" by integrating traditional elderly care with innovative consumption scenarios and smart technology, according to data released by the Beijing Municipal Commerce Bureau last Friday.

The capital has established a robust senior care network, currently boasting 620 registered care institutions, 168 regional service centers and over 1,500 community stations that altogether provide 155,000 beds and operate nearly 3,000 dedicated dining facilities for senior citizens.

This local expansion mirrors a rapidly growing national market. Data indicate that China's silver economy is projected to have reached 9 trillion yuan ($1.35 trillion) in 2025 and should soar to 30 trillion yuan by 2035. To support this momentum, national authorities have rolled out extensive policies. The Ministry of Civil Affairs, among other departments, has mandated the deep integration of care facilities with consumer markets, while the Ministry of Commerce aims to build 500 "silver shopping streets" nationwide by 2030 as part of its urban community planning.

Jiang Zhao, a researcher at the Chinese Academy of International Trade and Economic Cooperation under the Ministry of Commerce, noted that these innovations reflect a shift in senior consumption from basic needs to high-quality experiences. "This transition resolves issues of fragmented supply and limited accessibility. It lowers decision-making costs for seniors and transforms the industry from merely selling products to providing comprehensive lifestyle solutions," Jiang said.

Technology and digital platforms are playing a crucial role in this transformation. Chen Qian, deputy director of the silver economy research center at Fudan University's Institute on Ageing, emphasized that tech platforms are leveraging their digital traffic to make services more transparent, effectively bridging the information gap between supply and demand and elevating overall industry standards.

A prime example of community-level integration is the "Guangju Daojia" supermarket in Xicheng district. As the city's first domestic and elderly care service supermarket, it offers an integrated model of offline experiences, online ordering, and subsidy deductions. By linking 10 community stations, it achieves full regional coverage. Through a dedicated mini-program, residents can book dozens of services, ranging from meal and bathing assistance to medical escorts, catering to seniors, dual-income households, and child-rearing families alike.

In the retail sector, Dongcheng district recently welcomed the Great Wall Silver Store, Beijing's first senior-themed retail outlet. The store pioneers a novel consumption model emphasizing experience and professional assessment prior to purchase. It features nine exhibition areas with over 500 specialized products, alongside real-life mockups of senior-friendly home modifications.

The barrier-free environment includes anti-slip flooring, lowered shelves, and large-print price tags, with on-site professional assessors providing personalized advice.

Technology is also reshaping physical care facilities. The Beijing Economic-Technological Development Area has launched the country's first smart health-care robot station. The 1,100-square-meter facility houses over 40 types of robots from 24 enterprises. These robots handle tasks ranging from intelligent food preparation to companionship, massages and exoskeleton rehabilitation, effectively serving as an experiential hub for elderly care robotics.

Furthermore, the city is exploring high-quality institutional care. The Zhonghai Jinchen community in Fengtai district, which began operations in June, represents the first open Continuing Care Retirement Community developed by a State-owned enterprise in Beijing.

Spanning 50,000 sq m, it offers over 800 beds with tiered care levels. It features an embedded health station, partnerships with top-tier hospitals like Beijing Tiantan Hospital and 6,300 sq m of shared space open to the surrounding neighborhood, pioneering a path of boundaryless integration.

As the 15th Five-Year Plan (2026-30) unfolds, a spokesperson for the Beijing Municipal Commerce Bureau said the city will continue to prioritize silver consumption as a key component of building an international consumption center. By nurturing scalable new business formats and scenarios, Beijing aims to meet the increasingly diverse and multilayered needs of its aging population.

renqi@chinadaily.com.cn