Introduction to China’s Aging Population

China’s population structure is determined by a different method compared to other countries. Unlike other countries that have population aging due to changing fertility and mortality based on industrialization effects, (Moody, 2012) China went through a different route, which was the one-child policy. The one child policy, introduced in 1979, was created due to economic troubles facing the nation. Population was overflowing and the government needed to curb the numbers to ease poverty and famine. The policy basically gives each married couple in China a quota of having only 1 child. The policy that supported delayed marriage and childbearing slows down population growth. But, it has its negative effects that the nation must face today: the aging population. By 2030, one in every four people in China is going to be older than 60 (Wang, 2013). What are the implications of this? Here are some examples of issues surrounding Chinese elderlies and youngsters:

• 4-2-1 and its financial burden. An aging population basically means that majority of the population are aged or elderly people. A one-child generation has 2 parents (mother and father) and 4 grandparents (2 grandmothers and 2 grandfathers). This child grows up without having cousins, uncles, aunts, etc. This kid’s parents have to provide for him and his grandparents. When this kid turns into an adult, he and his wife will be responsible for his 2 parents and 4 grandparents, which is 6 people.  Soon enough they will have a child and the cycle continues (Jiang and Sanchez-Barricarte, 2011)
• The erosion of filial piety. Elderlies, due to fewer children (from a certain number to just 1) that can provide support, feel less cared for. (Liu, 2008)
• Economic problems facing elderlies. Poverty rate of elderlies in rural area is 65% (11% in urban areas). In general, 23% of elderlies in China live below poverty line. 57% of elderlies in rural area do not have pension.   (Wang, 2013)

There are many other issues surrounding China’s aging population. Most of them are results of the one-child policy as the root cause. Some are related to the issues above, and a lot of them are interconnected. This blog will explore and talk in detail about some of aging’s important and relevant issues.

Reference:

Zhan, H. (2013). Population Aging and Long-Term Care in China. Generations, 37(1), 53-58.

Jiang, Q., & Sánchez-Barricarte, J. (2011). The 4-2-1 family structure in China: a survival analysis based on life tables. European Journal Of Ageing,8(2), 119-127.

Wang, Jeanette (2013). "Legacy of One-child Policy Could Have Consequences for Elderly Welfare." South China Morning Post. Web. 25 Sept. 2013.

Liu, Fenshu. (2008) Negotiating the filial self: Young-adult only-children and

intergenerational relationships in China. Young, 16(4). 409-430.