2035年我國老年人口將達4億 將進入'超老齡社會'

China's elderly population has been increasing rapidly and is estimated to hit around 400 million by the end of 2035, making China a "super aging society", according to experts.

據有關專家表示，我國老年人口增長迅速，預計到2035年年底，老年人口總量將達4億人左右，使我國成爲“超老齡社會”。

Since China became an "aging society" in 2000, the elderly population has increased yearly by about 10 million, Zheng Gongcheng, head of the China Association of Social Security, said at a forum.

中國社會保障學會會長鄭功成近日在一個論壇上表示，中國自2000年跨入"老齡化社會"後，老年人口每年增長約1000萬。

By international standards, a country or region is considered to be an "aging society" when those aged 65 or over account for 7-14% of the total population.

根據國際標準，當一個國家或地區65歲及以上人口占總人口的7-14%時，該國家或地區即被視爲“老齡化社會”。

Once that amount goes over 14%, the country or region is considered a "super aging society."

當老年人佔比超過14%時，這一國家或地區被視爲“超老齡社會”。

Zheng said that China's elderly care services are developing rapidly but also unevenly.

鄭功成指出，中國養老服務業發展迅速但不平衡。

They are already not enough to satisfy the nationwide demand, while unbalanced supply has also become a problem, he said. These services lack social participation and professional nursing staff.

中國養老服務業已無法滿足全國範圍內的需求，不平衡的供給也構成了問題，且社會力量參與和專業護理人員均不足。

Zheng recommended an industry-wide plan on elderly care services be formulated, which should be considered a new growth point for a sustainable national economy.

鄭功成建議，應當制定養老服務的全行業規劃，將其視爲國民經濟持續發展的新增長點。