China's elderly dependents now outnumber children for first time, data shows

Official data released last week shows the ratio of China's elderly dependents to the working-age population rose to 23% in 2023, overtaking the child dependency ratio of 22%. With 223 million people aged 65 and above and 213 million children aged 14 and under, China has entered a moderately ageing society for the first time, shifting public spending priorities toward pensions and healthcare.