China is moving to transform its rapidly aging population into a dynamic economic engine, unveiling a strategic road map to develop the "silver economy" that could become a primary pillar of national growth by 2035.

With more than 310 million people aged 60 or above, the Ministry of Civil Affairs announced in January a plan to expand technology-integrated care services and tailored consumption to meet their growing needs. The goal is a shift from traditional, family-based care to a market-driven ecosystem, backed by the Ministry of Commerce and the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology.

"Developing the silver economy is vital for addressing the challenges of an aging population and enhancing its well-being," said Li Banghua, director of elderly care services at the Ministry of Civil Affairs. "It also plays a key role in creating new economic growth opportunities and expanding domestic demand."

The measures encourage providers of elderly care to expand in-home services through chain operations, and e-commerce platforms and major retailers are also called on to better match supply with demand in elderly care services.

"This will make accessing elderly care services more convenient and personalized, both online and offline," Li said.

The measures also aim to create more opportunities for the elderly to spend, Guo Hanqiao, deputy director of the ministry's aging services department, said at the news conference.

"We aim to integrate elderly care services with consumer opportunities, making age-friendly products more accessible. We will leverage facilities like county-level care service platforms and senior activity centers to create product display, rental and sales points," he said.

As part of these efforts, the Ministry of Commerce has integrated elderly care into the national 15-minute convenient life circle initiative, which, as of July last year, had established nearly 6,300 pilot circles. These circles offer services including elderly care, domestic assistance, dining and shopping, benefiting 129 million residents.

Guo said that to stimulate spending, policies are expected to make products aimed at the elderly more accessible and user-friendly.

Measures include subsidies for home modifications, and special elderly care consumption season promotions, as well as helping seniors overcome the digital divide through training programs.

In Tianjin, dedicated meal services have been set up for seniors in an attempt to create a model that is affordable for the elderly, profitable for businesses and sustainable, according to local official Guo Meng, who added that the city runs over 1,800 community canteens.

In Zhejiang province, senior-friendly commercial streets have been designed and developed around the needs and interests of the elderly. In Hangzhou, the provincial capital, these include nostalgic immersive experiences involving theaters and dance halls. So far, more than 100 million yuan ($14.65 million) has been generated in revenue from events involving art, photography and fashion, according to the provincial civil affairs department.

The measures also encourage e-commerce platforms to optimize senior modes and create dedicated shopping channels targeting the needs of the elderly.

The Ministry of Industry and Information Technology said at the conference that it has helped more than 10 popular shopping platforms used by seniors improve their accessibility, enhancing the online experience for elderly consumers.

Further steps to stimulate spending among older adults will include senior discounts and themed shopping festivals, the civil affairs ministry said.

Smart care

Technology is also set to become a key pillar in elderly care.

The Ministry of Industry and Information Technology said it will prioritize the use of humanoid robots, health monitors and rehabilitation aids in homes, communities and institutions. The ministry also plans to promote high-end medical devices and support the clinical testing of products like cochlear implants and rehabilitation training systems.

"We are pushing for the use of big data, artificial intelligence and Beidou positioning technology in health monitoring and tailored services for seniors," said Li from the Ministry of Civil Affairs, adding this includes supporting trials of care robots and smart products in care institutions.

Sheng Le, director of the civil affairs department in Suzhou, Jiangsu province, said: "As the global population ages, technology is crucial in addressing elderly care challenges and advancing the silver economy."

"Innovations such as smart monitoring, telemedicine, age-friendly renovations and intelligent care platforms are creating a robust support system for seniors," Sheng said.

"Suzhou is emerging as a hub of innovation, transforming elder care robots into essential companions that meet seniors' needs for health, safety, convenience and emotional connection.

"These technologies drive the growth of the city's silver economy," he said.

Sheng said smart clothing has been developed that can be worn by seniors to monitor basic vital signs all day long, while other products, such as smart mattresses, can track sleep quality.

Beyond health monitoring, other technologies are being developed to focus on safety and companionship. Advanced systems can automatically detect falls and send immediate alerts to caregivers. Some even offer friendly conversation and reminders for medication, helping to ease loneliness.

These devices are also designed to be connected directly to online doctors for quick checkups, Sheng added.

Jiang Quanbao, a professor at the School of Labor Economics at the Capital University of Economics and Business, said boosting the silver economy will address demographic challenges, foster economic growth and enhance the quality of life for the country's aging population.

"The policy is designed to improve the quality of senior life by offering better supply options. As traditional growth engines such as real estate and exports slow down, the silver economy is becoming a new driver of domestic growth, boosting various industries," Jiang said.

China's population aged 60 and above is expected to surpass 400 million by 2035.

"The world has never before seen such a large population enter old age in such a short period. Traditional family-based care models are becoming less sustainable due to smaller family sizes, creating a pressing need for professional and market-driven service providers," said Jiang.

"The generation born in the 1970s is nearing retirement. Unlike earlier generations, they have a higher level of education, stronger purchasing power and better digital literacy. And they have higher expectations and demands when it comes to spending. There's an increasing demand for health management, cultural entertainment and smart elderly care solutions," he added.

The professor forecast that there will be significant investments in this sector, driven by government policy incentives.

"By 2035, the industry is expected to consolidate and mature. After that, the silver economy is projected to become a key pillar of China's overall economy. There may even be the potential for exporting Chinese elderly care solutions to other countries with aging populations," he said.

lihongyang@chinadaily.com.cn