Beijing's elderly population exceeds 5 mln

BEIJING, Sept. 10 (Xinhua) -- Beijing's permanent elderly population surpassed five million for the first time, a report on the capital's aging cause development said.

The report was released at a Beijing elderly care services industry forum that opened on Tuesday. It shows that Beijing's population aging intensified in 2024. The city's permanent residents aged 60 and above hit 5.14 million, accounting for 23.5 percent of the total population -- an increase of 192,000 people from 2023.

Beijing is also seeing a steady increase in its advanced aging population. According to statistics, the city's permanent residents aged 80 and above now stand at 687,000, representing 3.1 percent of the total population.

According to Yang Zhiwei, an official with the Beijing Municipal Civil Affairs Bureau, since 2024, Beijing has consistently strengthened the provision of multi-level and diversified elderly care services. Local authorities have implemented 20 policy measures addressing the essential needs of advanced-age seniors, while comprehensively establishing regional elderly care service centers to enhance the quality of home-based care.

Beijing currently has 608 registered elderly care institutions, equipped with 109,000 beds. In addition, the city has systematically established 105 regional elderly care service centers, over 300 nursing care facilities, and more than 1,500 community-based elderly service stations.

"Here, we elderly residents receive professional care and have plenty of friends and activities. My life has become much more fulfilling," said 93-year-old Chen Guangying, who lives at an elderly care service center in Yizhuang Town in suburban Beijing.

Luo Jing, the person in charge of the center, said that the facility has established five functional service zones including residential care, dining services, senior academy, integrated healthcare, and comprehensive support. "Functionally, the center has transitioned from providing basic living assistance and simple medical care to offering diversified services," Luo added.

According to the plan, Beijing will establish an additional 50 regional elderly care service centers in 2025. ■