In July 2013, the National People’s Congress passed an unprecedented and controversial law: the Protection of the Rights and Interests of Elderly People (also known as the Filial Piety Law). The law mandates that adult children provide culturally expected support to their parents 60 years or older.

How are the elderly cared for in China?

China has been innovating for improved access of older people to integrated care, by means of a community-based social and health care system that covers also chronic disease control and prevention, strengthened health services and is staffed with a large health workforce.

Is it illegal to abandon your parents in China?

It’s illegal to abandon your parents in China. Anyone whose parents are older than 60 is legally required to visit them often and make sure their financial and spiritual needs are being met.

Is elder abuse common in China?

Prevalence of Elder Abuse Prior studies in the People’s Republic of China suggest that abuse of older persons is common (Yan and Tang, 2001; Dong et al., 2007b). Caregiver neglect was the most common form of abuse, followed by financial exploitation, psychological abuse, physical abuse, sexual abuse, and abandonment.

Who takes care of old people in China?

In China, families have traditionally been the caregivers and major source of financial support for older adults. According to a study published in the China Economic Journal in 2015, roughly 41% of Chinese 60 and over live with an adult child.

What percentage of China’s population is elderly?

The newly released results of China’s seventh population census show that China’s 2020 population stood at 1.4118 billion in which there are 264 million people aged 60 and over or 191 million aged 65 and over, comprising 18.7 percent and 13.5 percent of the total population, respectively.

Why are there so many elderly in China?

Due to the lower fertility rate and extension of the human life span, the population in China is aging faster than almost all other countries. In 2050, the proportion of Chinese over retirement age will become 39 percent of the total population.

Does China have an Ageing population?

Population ageing shows similar trends. China’s ageing population means the workforce will have to support an increasing number of old people. In 2020, China had 10 people aged 70 years old or more for every 100 working-age adults aged between 20 and 69 years old, according to UN statistics.