China has more elderly people than minors compared to the working population

In 2025, China saw a demographic shift where individuals aged 65 and older outnumbered those under 15 for the first time, comprising 15.9% of the population. The elderly dependency ratio reached 23.1%, surpassing the 15.1% of children. This change follows years of rapid aging, with the elderly dependency ratio rising from 15% in 2016 to 22.8% in 2024. Birth rates have declined significantly, with only 7.92 million births recorded in 2025, marking a historic low. By the end of 2025, 23% of the population was aged 60 and above. In response, the government is implementing measures to encourage births and support the elderly, including a gradual increase in retirement age. However, these efforts have yet to reverse declining birth rates, with projections indicating over 400 million people aged 60 and older by 2035, intensifying pressure on the labor market and pension systems.