China's elderly population now exceeds children for first time

HONG KONG - China has crossed a significant demographic threshold, with its elderly population now outnumbering children, marking a turning point in the nation's population structure and raising fresh concerns about the sustainability of its social welfare systems.

The shift underscores the rapid ageing of China's 1.4 billion-strong population, a consequence of decades of restrictive birth policies and improving life expectancy. As citizens live longer, the proportion of those aged 65 and above has grown substantially, while birth rates have plummeted to historic lows.

The demographic reversal carries major implications for China's economic model and public finances. A shrinking working-age population faces mounting pressure to support growing numbers of retirees, potentially straining pension systems and healthcare resources across the country.

Policymakers in Beijing have already moved to address the crisis, relaxing birth restrictions and introducing incentives to encourage family formation. However, experts warn these measures may prove insufficient to reverse deeply entrenched demographic trends, as younger generations increasingly delay or forgo parenthood due to economic pressures and changing social preferences.

The demographic challenge extends beyond China, with several other East and Southeast Asian nations grappling with similar ageing populations and declining birth rates, reshaping the region's economic and social landscape.