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China's ageing population

A mass wedding ceremony in central China’s Hunan province. Photo: EPA-EFE

China’s first-time marriages rebounded last year, but spike unlikely to last

First-time marriages in China increased for the first time in nearly a decade last year, but demographers suggest the rebound is unlikely to last.

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Open Questions | Historian on why we aren’t heading towards WWIII yet and how wars have changed

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I don’t: marriage registrations tumble, adding to China’s population woes

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Chinese health body takes down propaganda aimed at boosting birth rate

In deleted post NHC listed physical changes and said pregnant women and their families should focus more on the positive values of birth.

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China’s NHC said pregnancy and birth was a “difficult and beautiful journey, where women will go through physical and psychological changes” - until the post was removed without explanation. Photo: Shutterstock

China looks to establish childbirth subsidy system, further tax cuts for parents

Subsidies and tax cuts are set to be rolled out as part of efforts to build a ‘birth-friendly society’ amid China’s looming demographic crisis.

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My Take | How Song dynasty tax policy might offer a solution to China’s population crisis

During the Song dynasty China’s population exceeded 100 million for the first time, breaking a historical ceiling of about 60 to 80 million.

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Chinese government workers urge women to get pregnant in latest birth rate push

The national grass-roots campaign to gauge sentiment and create pregnancy incentives is running into lingering resentment and worry, officials say.

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A new survey to gather data on women and pregnancies in China is getting a rough reception from people who resent past family planning policies. Photo: Reuters

Why do people in Macau live longer than nearly anywhere else? We asked the locals

Only Hong Kong enjoys a longer life expectancy than Macau, so what’s the secret? Less oil, less salt and plenty of exercise, of course

More than 60% of Chinese over 60 are empty nesters, survey finds

Most can’t afford to live in a nursing home, according to five-yearly poll, as committee on ageing calls for better services and coordinated policies.

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The teething troubles of turning China’s kindergartens into homes for the aged

Aged care is a promising service area as the birth rate falls and society greys, but entrepreneurs face a series of hurdles.

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In Shandong province, business couple Yu Bo and his wife are pivoting from kindergartens to services for the aged. Photo: Handout

China’s current pro-birth policies cannot offset population crisis, expert warns

Cash subsidies for multiple children are doing little to offset China’s declining fertility rate that has far-reaching economic implications.

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Only 9.02 million births were reported in China in 2023, representing the lowest total since records started in 1949. Photo: Getty Images

My Take | Demography is not destiny for China or anyone else

Mass immigration gives the US a huge advantage over everyone else facing depopulation but it’s a double-edged sword that has escalated domestic strife.

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Can an ageing, shrinking China still achieve prosperity?

Growing elderly population another conundrum for Chinese policymakers grappling with high youth unemployment and ‘ultra-low’ fertility.

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Half-blind China grandma, 92, shoots to thrill with live ammo at range

Video of woman in her 90s using a small-bore rifle like a military professional attracts half a million likes online.

A half-blind China grandma amazes social media by scoring high at an overseas shooting range. Photo: SCMP composite/Douyin

Opinion | China’s path to sustainable growth goes beyond economic stimulus

The path to sustained growth requires an approach that goes beyond short-term intervention and addresses underlying issues.

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Shoppers pass a Huawei store on Nanjing East Road in Shanghai, on October 2. Restoring consumer confidence and furthering a shift to an economy based more on domestic consumption were among the primary goals of Beijing’s recent stimulus measures. Photo: Bloomberg

How China’s ‘little emperors’ went from monarchs to overwhelmed caregivers

China’s one-child policy has created a zero-sibling generation – and caring for parents and children in a tough economy is taking its toll.

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Another Hong Kong resident falls to death while hanging laundry outside window

Security personnel alert police after discovering 83-year-old man lying on podium near Yee Yip House at Tsing Yi Estate.

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Video | How Chinese citizens feel about raising the retirement age

The Post spoke with local residents to hear what they had to say about the policy change.

Older people in China. Photo: SCMP

Opinion | Lifting productivity key to China overcoming demographic challenge

As China confronts the challenges of an ageing population, the path forward lies in boosting productivity across all sectors and age groups.

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Shenzhen eases limits for government jobs, blazing trail for retirement delay

Three districts in the southern city of Shenzhen seemingly respond to long-awaited move to gradually raise retirement ages in China.

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China encourages elderly to volunteer as workforce shrinks and population ages

Beijing moves to upgrade Silver Age Action initiative for elderly to help in community as top legislature moves to raise retirement ages.

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China is encouraging elderly people to volunteer in childcare, senior care, community patrols and help for the disabled. Photo: Xinhua

Work longer, save smarter: China’s retirement-age changes force rethink of plans

At a time when consumption confidence is lacking in China, professionals express mixed feelings about working longer in life.

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China’s top legislature has approved a plan to raise retirement ages gradually by up to five years by 2040. Photo: Bloomberg

‘No one is happy’: China’s move to lift retirement age unpopular among workers

Uncertainty over further changes and concerns over economy and jobs market are fuelling discontent over the decision.

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Editorial | Raising the retirement age inevitable amid China’s demographic changes

It is never a good time to tell people they have to work longer but if China’s public pension system is to be saved, there really is no alternative.

Explainer | China has raised its retirement age. How does this compare to other countries?

Recently announced increases to China’s retirement age have received global attention – but what have other countries done?

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China has raised its retirement age for the first time in over 50 years. Photo: Bloomberg

Diabetes drug may dramatically delay effect of ageing on human brain: study

Test animal tissue showed slowed biological ageing and brains showed improved cognitive function after metformin doses, team wrote in Cell.

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A Chinese study published in Cell journal is the first to thoroughly investigate the role of metformin in mitigating the ageing process in primates. A further study in collaboration with Merck is expected to study metformin and ageing in older men. Photo: EPA-EFE

How raising China’s retirement age can help Beijing buy time to plug pension gap

Last week, China announced plans to gradually raise retirement ages by up to five years by 2040, starting from January.

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My Take | China’s decision to extend the retirement age will not fix social welfare

The controversy over China’s extended retirement age is a fresh reminder of the deep-rooted problems inherent in the country’s national income distribution system.

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China's ageing population
The latest news, analysis and opinion on China's ageing population. In-depth analysis, industry insights and expert opinion.
last updated:
9 September, 2024
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