China Vows to Develop ‘Silver Economy’ and Promote ‘Healthy’ Aging

China’s cabinet has vowed in a five-year plan to “vigorously develop the silver economy” and promote “healthy” aging, as part of efforts to tackle issues that come with a rapidly aging population that may impact economic growth.

The plan, published by the State Council on Monday, laid out nine goals (link in Chinese) that the country aims to achieve through 2025, including increasing the number of beds for elder care in the country to over 9 million from 8.2 million in 2020, and ensuring one social worker per 1,000 elderly people and at least one college per county that caters for senior citizens.