Beijing’s over-60 population expected to reach one-third by 2035

By 2035, about one-third of Beijing residents are expected to be 60 or older, Beijing Daily reported. At the end of 2023 the capital had 5.29 million permanent residents aged 60 and above, nearly a quarter of its total population. China’s population has been declining since 2022. Beijing’s official urban master plan aims to keep permanent residents at around 23 million and limit the six central districts to no more than 10.85 million by 2035. The city is expanding support for older residents, including a basic pension increase and community-based elderly care and home-care services. Reuters estimates the government could face a potential bill of around 180 billion yuan ($26.92 billion) this year to encourage births. CONTESTED: none found. Sources describe higher demand for pensions, health care and elder care and pressure on the workforce and consumption without conflicting figures.