China’s ageing (rapidly) population

If you are interested in the opportunities and threats of China’s ageing population then this is a must read from Wharton University. The numbers are staggering.

The challenge is huge: More than a fifth of the city’s permanent residents were older than 60 at the end of 2007. And according to the Shanghai Academy of Social Science, that figure will grow about 1% per year, which means by 2020 more than 30% of the population will be over 60, while the average lifespan of a Shanghai resident is 81. Based on data released by the local government, nearly 20% of Shanghai’s senior citizens, about 500,000 people, would like to live in a senior housing facility. However, senior housing in Shanghai is full, except for in the luxury segment.

Dick Stroud