The Tibet Autonomous Region has achieved remarkable progress in elderly care services, significantly outpacing its general population growth according to recent government reports. At a press briefing held in Lhasa this week, regional authorities detailed substantial advancements in both care facility infrastructure and pension system enhancements.
By the conclusion of 2025, Tibet had established 80 county-level centralized care service centers specifically designed for economically vulnerable seniors. These facilities currently accommodate over 5,800 elderly residents while providing more than 12,000 specialized care beds, with more than half designated for nursing care purposes. The region’s comprehensive approach also includes 65 dedicated day-care centers for older adults and 195 rural ‘happiness homes’ that enable seniors to receive support while remaining within their familiar communities.
Demographic data from the latest national census reveals that Tibet’s population aged 60 and above has reached 311,000 individuals, representing 8.52% of the permanent population. Those aged 65 and older number approximately 207,000, accounting for 5.67% of the population. These segments have demonstrated annual growth rates exceeding 3%, substantially higher than the region’s overall population expansion.
Lhamo Drolma, Deputy Director of the Regional Department of Civil Affairs, highlighted the parallel developments in social security infrastructure. “By 2025, we had established 539,200 personal pension accounts with cumulative contributions reaching 161 million yuan (approximately $23 million),” Drolma announced. The region has elevated the basic monthly pension for both urban and rural residents to 295 yuan—double the national average and ranking fourth highest nationwide—benefiting 318,200 individuals. Additional pension adjustments have positively impacted over 120,000 retirees from enterprise and government institutions.
Healthcare services for seniors have similarly advanced at an accelerated pace, with 62% of secondary hospitals now featuring dedicated geriatrics departments and 85% of medical centers implementing elderly-friendly modifications. Major hospitals have introduced priority services including specialized service windows and customized assistance programs to ensure comprehensive healthcare accessibility for elderly patients.