China has launched a sweeping national initiative to transform its substantial aging demographic into a dynamic economic driver while simultaneously enhancing senior welfare. The ambitious policy framework, unveiled jointly by multiple government ministries, specifically targets the nation’s population of over 310 million citizens aged 60 and above.
The comprehensive strategy, formally titled “Several Measures on Cultivating Elderly Care Business Entities and Promoting Silver Economy,” represents a coordinated effort between the Ministry of Civil Affairs, Ministry of Commerce, and Ministry of Industry and Information Technology. The initiative aims to cultivate a robust silver economy by empowering commercial enterprises, stimulating consumption patterns, and integrating cutting-edge technological solutions.
Li Banghua, Director of the Elderly Care Service Department at the Ministry of Civil Affairs, emphasized the dual significance of this development: “Cultivating the silver economy is crucial for addressing aging population challenges while simultaneously creating fresh economic growth vectors and expanding domestic consumption demand.”
The policy measures encourage elderly care institutions to expand home-based care services through chain operation models, while simultaneously directing e-commerce platforms and major retail supermarkets to improve supply-demand alignment for senior care services. This approach aims to make elderly care services more accessible, convenient, and personalized through both digital and physical channels.
Guo Hanqiao, Deputy Director of the Ministry’s Aging Services Department, highlighted the strategy’s focus on creating integrated consumption scenarios: “We’re merging elderly care services with consumer opportunities to enhance accessibility of age-friendly products. We’ll utilize county-level care service platforms and senior activity centers as demonstration and distribution points for product exhibition, rental, and sales.”
In a significant integration effort, the Ministry of Commerce has incorporated elderly care services into the national 15-minute convenient life circle initiative, which had established approximately 6,300 pilot circles by July 2025. These circles provide comprehensive services including elderly care, domestic assistance, dining, and retail, currently benefiting 129 million citizens.
The initiative also promotes the development of senior-friendly commercial infrastructure, with Zhejiang province already implementing specialized shopping streets designed for older adults. These include nostalgic theme theaters, retro dance halls, and social platforms in Hangzhou, complemented by over 570 organized activities generating more than 100 million yuan in personal spending.
Technology integration forms another critical component, with the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology prioritizing the development and deployment of humanoid robots, health monitoring devices, and rehabilitation aids for home, community, and institutional use. The ministry is additionally advancing high-end medical devices including cochlear implants and rehabilitation training systems through clinical testing support.
E-commerce platforms are being directed to optimize senior-friendly interfaces and establish dedicated silver economy shopping channels, with more than 10 major platforms already receiving accessibility enhancements to improve the online shopping experience for older adults. Additional consumer stimulation measures include specialized senior discounts and themed shopping events designed to boost expenditure within this demographic.