Beijing May Become a Super-Aged Society by 2035

Beijing is projected to become a super-aged society by 2035, when approximately one-third of its residents are expected to be aged 60 or older. At the end of 2025, the city had 5.29 million permanent residents in this age group, equal to 24.3 per cent of its total population.

Population Ageing in Beijing

The proportion of Beijing residents aged 60 or older is projected to rise from 24.3 per cent at the end of 2025 to about one-third by 2035. The projection concerns the share of the population aged 60 and above, a measure used in China’s demographic statistics. China’s population has declined annually since 2022 while its age structure has continued to grow older. Population ageing affects the size of the working-age population, pension requirements and patterns of consumption.

Elderly Care Services

Beijing plans to add 30,000 home-based elderly care beds over the next three years. The city is also developing a 15-minute elderly care service network, intended to provide care services within a short distance of residents’ homes. The city has strengthened legal protections for elderly care and improved social security for older people. Its service measures include integrating elderly care services and expanding partnerships between medical institutions and care providers.

Pensions and Population Policy

Beijing has raised its basic pension and reinforced its multi-tiered pension system. A multi-tiered system combines different pension arrangements rather than relying on a single source of retirement income. Chinese policymakers include population planning in economic policy. Estimates put the potential government expenditure on measures to raise birth rates at around 180 billion yuan in 2026, equivalent to approximately US$26.92 billion.

Important Facts for Exams

• Beijing is a municipality directly administered by the central government of China.
• Beijing recorded 5.29 million permanent residents aged 60 or older at the end of 2025.
• Older residents made up 24.3 per cent of Beijing’s total population at the end of 2025.
• Beijing’s planned addition of 30,000 home-based elderly care beds covers the following three years.

China’s Demographic Context

China has faced population decline since 2022 alongside rapid population ageing. The shift is associated with changes in the potential workforce and the demand for pensions and healthcare services. The projected 2035 share for Beijing is based on residents aged 60 or older. Beijing’s elderly-care measures include pension support, social security, legal protections and medical-care partnerships. The city’s projection places the share of residents aged 60 or older at approximately one-third by 2035.