LocationsUNDP Launches Silver Economy Report Series Highlighting Opportunities of an Inclusive and Sustainable Ageing Society
November 29, 2025
The event, titled "Navigating the Ageing Wave: Towards an Inclusive and Sustainable Elderly Care Ecosystem", saw the launch of 3 reports by UNDP in China on the silver economy, and was hosted by UNDP with support from Industrial Securities Co. Ltd.
The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) China Representative Office today launched three major research reports on China’s silver economy. Framed by the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), the reports examine the elderly care service system, financial empowerment, and multidimensional vulnerabilities. Together, they underscore that the cornerstone of building an inclusive and sustainable ageing society lies in developing a high quality silver economy.
By the end of 2024, China's population aged 65 and above had reached 220 million, accounting for 15.6% of the total population. This proportion is projected to rise to 30% by 2050. In response to this structural shift, the Chinese government elevated the development of the silver economy to a national strategic level in 2024, issuing for the first time a dedicated policy document "Guidelines on Developing the Silver Economy to Improve the Well-being of Older Persons."
Against this backdrop, UNDP has launched three reports, providing recommendations for systematically addressing China's ageing population challenge:
Enhancing the Elderly Care Service System through the Silver Economy underscores that a robust care system is central to China’s ageing strategy and emphasizes the role of the silver economy in expanding high-quality services. It also highlights how partnerships between government, industry, and society can expand care options, improve quality, and ensure no one is left behind.
Financing the Silver Economy in China: Empowering an Inclusive and Sustainable Ageing Society, identifies key Investment Opportunity Areas (IOAs) in China’s elderly care industry using the SDG Investor Map methodology —from smart devices to age-friendly housing etc. It also highlights China’s evolving pension and financial systems and stresses the need to gradually expand benefits to strengthen economic security of the elderly population.
A Measurement Study on Multidimensional Vulnerabilities of the Elderly Population in China offers a systematic assessment of older people’s overall well-being using UNDP’s Multidimensional Poverty Index (MPI) framework. In this way, it provides a clearer picture of those most vulnerable, particularly rural residents and older women, and emphasizes the need for targeted, evidence-based policies and services to increase resilience.
Hosted by UNDP with support from Industrial Securities Co., Ltd., the launch event brought together around 100 online and onsite participants from government agencies, academia, the elderly care industry, financial institutions and international organizations. Participants engaged in constructive discussions on pathways for developing the silver economy and shared insights across sectors.
UNDP Resident Representative in China, Beate Trankmann, gave welcome remarks at the event titled "Navigating the Ageing Wave: Towards an Inclusive and Sustainable Elderly Care Ecosystem", where UNDP launched three new reports on the Silver Economy.
“An ageing population raises complex social and economic challenges, but with the right policies and financing solutions, it can be transformed into an inclusive growth opportunity,” said Beate Trankmann, Resident Representative of UNDP in China, “Empowering people to age with dignity, security, and purpose is key to achieving truly transformative, inclusive, and sustainable development.”
Su Junliang, Chairman of Industrial Securities Co., Ltd., stated, "the development of pension finance not only brings new opportunities for the financial industry, but also serves as a key focus for actively addressing population ageing and promoting sustainable development."
Nadia Rasheed, Resident Representative of the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) in China, highlighted, "as population ageing accelerates across the world, China is uniquely positioned to turn longer lives into a powerful source of strength. By investing in families, building resilient care systems and harnessing the fast-growing silver economy, we can ensure that every older person ages with health, dignity and inclusion."
The event also featured two thematic panel discussions focused on “Shaping a High-Quality and Inclusive Elderly Care Ecosystem” and “Exploring Sustainable Financial Pathways for Elderly Care.” Participants included Feng Wenmeng, Deputy Director and Research Fellow of Institute of Public Administration and Human Resources, Development Research Center of the State Council, Li Zhihong, Director General of Policy Research Department, China National Committee on Ageing, Shen Yangyang, Associate Professor of Beijing Normal University Business School, Yang Ruikan and Gao Chen, Programme Manager of the World Health Organization China Representative Office, and Hyun Joo Youn, Senior Social Specialist of Asian Development Bank.
Along with other experts and representatives from financial institutions and the elderly care service industry, they shared their insights regarding the policy framework, service provision, financial support, and social participation of China's elderly care service system. The full reports from today’s launch will be made available on the UNDP China website in the coming days.
