[Video] China’s retirement home dilemma

To address the needs of China’s nearly 300 million population aged over 60, the country is aiming for the “9073” model, with 90% of the elderly to be cared for at home, 7% in community care and 3% in retirement homes. As of the third quarter of 2023, China has established over 40,000 retirement homes nationwide, providing 8.2 million beds, according to China’s Ministry of Civil Affairs.

However, less than 1% of China’s elderly reside in retirement homes as of 2021. Quality of care, emotional well-being, affordability and filial duty were some of the concerns raised by both the elderly and their children. Additionally, China faces another dilemma: while government-funded retirement homes face bed shortages, private and expensive ones experience high vacancy rates.

Related: China’s declining population cannot be easily reversed | Growing old alone: Elderly poor want better housing, better care in Taiwan