Around one-third of Beijing’s population is expected to be aged 60 or older by 2035, highlighting the growing demographic challenges facing China as it seeks to boost births and support economic growth.
Beijing is projected to become a “super-aged” city by 2035, with roughly one in three residents aged 60 and above, the official Beijing Daily reported.
The Chinese capital had 5.29 million permanent residents aged 60 or older at the end of last year, accounting for almost a quarter of its population, according to the newspaper.
City authorities are expanding support for older residents, including increasing the basic pension, as the country faces mounting pressure from an ageing population and a declining birth rate.
China’s population has been shrinking since 2022, complicating efforts to stimulate domestic consumption and manage debt. The country also faces the prospect of hundreds of millions of people leaving the workforce over time, putting additional strain on pension systems.
Demographers and economists warn that falling birth rates could lead to fewer households and weaker consumption growth in the longer term.
Population policy has become a key part of Beijing’s economic agenda. According to Reuters estimates, the Chinese government faces potential costs of around 180 billion yuan ($26.92 billion) this year to encourage births, as it seeks to address the economic consequences of demographic decline.
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