Turning longevity into opportunity: China's approach to healthy aging

Longevity, once a distant dream, has now become a reality in China. By the end of 2025, China's population aged 60 and above had reached over 323 million, accounting for 23 percent of the total. How to age in good health and dignity has transcended the private sphere to become a national priority – as well as a global policy issue.

According to a report released by China's National Health Commission, at the end of 2025, the average life expectancy hit a record 79 years in 2024. During the 14th Five-Year Plan period (2021-2025), the country prioritized healthy aging as a core national strategy.

Longer life expectancy reflects decades of progress in public health and economic development, said Professor Wang Hongman, director of the Institute of Health and Society at Southeast University and deputy secretary-general of the China Health Economics Association. As societies across the globe enter an era of longevity, what can China offer the world?

In the upcoming 15th Five-Year Plan period (2026-2030), reform, innovation and technological advancements will power senior care. The well-being of older adults will remain at the core of these services. Key focus areas include promoting community- and home-based services, developing integrated medical and senior care services, expanding the silver economy and building age-friendly infrastructure.

Innovative community networks

For years, inadequate home support for seniors and the high cost of institutional care have left many families with difficult choices, said Professor Wang. This imbalance has strained both households and public care resources. The promotion of innovative community- and home-based models is now addressing this long-standing dilemma.

In east China's Jiangsu Province, local governments have established regular home-visit programs covering hundreds of thousands of older residents with special needs, including those living alone or with disabilities. Seniors in Nantong City, for example, can request assistance through community hotlines. Trained staff provide affordable home visits, housekeeping and basic health monitoring.

Community canteens, a growing feature across many provinces, offer subsidized daily meals to seniors. In a village in Gaochun District of Nanjing City, for instance, a typical canteen meal costs 11 yuan ($1.51). Residents aged 60 to 70 pay 9 yuan per meal, and the price decreases with age. The over-90s enjoy free meals. An additional 1 yuan delivery fee applies. The system not only ensures nutritious daily meals at low cost for older residents, but also promotes social connections.

Additionally, in September 2023, China brought in new laws aiming to build an accessible, barrier-free living environment. New national standards mandate upgrades to older residential buildings, such as the installation of elevators and other aids to improve mobility and safety for older residents and people with special needs.

Over 240,000 old residential neighborhoods were renovated during the 14th Five‑Year Plan period, benefiting over 40 million households through projects including the installation of 129,000 elevators, expanded public spaces and increased senior‑oriented service facilities. Such renovations improve safety while allowing seniors to keep living in their communities instead of having to relocate.

Technology empowers healthy aging

From wearable devices to AI‑assisted platforms, China is also advancing technology-powered senior care.

The Beijing Economic‑Technological Development Area has initiated smart health monitoring pilot programs for seniors that use AI‑enabled devices. For example, smart mattresses can track heart rate, respiration, sleep and incontinence, sending instant alerts to caregivers. Developers are expanding platforms to include online consultations, remote ordering and more.

According to Professor Wang's research, Heilongjiang Provincial Social Rehabilitation Hospital in northeast China is another example, building a "nursing home without walls" that integrates medical care, rehabilitation and engineering. Staffed with psychologists, dietitians, doctors and other specialist professionals, the facility offers services ranging from meals and mobility assistance to emergency response through a 24-hour smart platform.

The center's digital network connects home monitoring devices, wearable health trackers and video intercoms with real-time professional oversight. When a senior care home resident triggers an alert, a red warning instantly appears on the service center's screen, pinpointing their location. Health data are uploaded to the cloud, enabling caregivers, family and hospital staff to receive real-time notifications.

These innovative models reflect more than an age-friendly policy. "They are a crucial tool for optimizing the allocation of social resources and improving the efficiency of the entire eldercare service system," said Professor Wang.

A flourishing silver economy

The number of people aged 60 and above is projected to reach 390 million by 2030. This rapid growth has also fueled the expansion of the silver economy, turning aging from a demographic challenge to a social priority and an economic opportunity.

The need to develop the silver economy and strengthen senior care services was highlighted at a State Council executive meeting following the Spring Festival break. China's silver economy is expected to reach 30 trillion yuan (roughly $4.2 trillion) by 2035, accounting for around 10 percent of the GDP, according to official projections.

Beyond traditional care services, there are higher demands for smart care systems, wearable devices and robotics. Policies such as subsidies for age‑friendly products and tax incentives for senior care institutions have attracted investment and innovation.

Cultural and educational tourism also constitutes a large part of the silver economy. Revenue from senior tourist services saw year-on-year growth of 26.2 percent in China in the first half of 2025. The number of tourist trips made by people aged 60 and above accounted for roughly one-fifth of all domestic tourist trips, signaling a pursuit of active aging.

Older adults in China are "not merely beneficiaries of healthy aging but active participants and creators of their own health and happiness," said Professor Wang.

With institutional support and policies in place, China aims to enable its citizens to age in place and thrive with dignity. From innovative community care to technology-enabled services and a flourishing silver economy, China offers practical lessons for countries around the world facing challenges of an aging population by turning longevity into an opportunity.