The rapidly growing elderly population in China’s capital, Beijing, could be a cause for concern in the coming years. Beijing is rapidly moving towards a ‘super-age’ city with a very old population. According to recent official reports, by the year 2035, every third citizen of Beijing will be 60 years old or older. This means that over 33% of the total population of the city will be elderly.

In fact, when a city’s population above 60 exceeds 30%, it is considered ‘super-aged’. Beijing will fall into this category by 2035, where the number of elderly people will approach 7 million.

It is expected to become a very old city by 2035

Beijing is expected to become an ultra-aging city by 2035, with nearly one-third of the population aged 60 or over, according to a report in the state-run newspaper ‘Beijing Daily’. This means that after 9 years only old people will be seen everywhere in the Chinese capital.

An attempt to increase the birth rate

According to Reuters estimates, Chinese policymakers have made population planning an important part of the country’s economic strategy. According to the report, the government may have to spend about 180 billion yuan ($26.92 billion) this year to boost the birth rate.

Number of elderly people in Beijing

According to the report, by the end of 2025 last year, the number of permanent residents aged 60 and over in Beijing reached 52.9 lakh (5.29 million), accounting for about 24.3 percent of the city’s total population. (about one quarter). The report said that the Beijing administration is taking measures to protect the financial security of the elderly in view of the growing needs of the elderly.

Impact on China’s economy

A shrinking working population is putting enormous pressure on China’s economy, pension budget and health services. To counter this, the Beijing administration is preparing facilities such as increasing the basic pension, a ’15-minute care service network’ for the elderly and meal services at various locations. Along with this, the Chinese government is also allocating a huge budget to increase the birth rate.

Population is decreasing from 2022

China’s population is shrinking from 2022 and aging rapidly. This has created difficulties for government schemes aimed at boosting domestic consumption and controlling debt. At a time when pension budgets are already under pressure, millions of people are about to be put out of work.

Demographers and economists argue that fewer children today could mean fewer families and slower consumption growth in the future.