Population ageing, retirement policy and living conditions of the elderly in China

The authors discuss economic and social aspects of the predicted rapid aging of China's population. They conclude that "its economic impact will depend on the outcome of the birth control campaign in rural areas...and on the pace of transition towards the nuclear family. In view of the very primitive nature of the retirement and health insurance systems, a rapid breakdown of family structures would constitute a major threat to the welfare of the elderly. Excepting certain middle- or upper-class pensioners in large cities, the standard of living of the elderly population remains very low and, due to the co-residence of generations, it is closely linked to trends in average income."