China Pushes for High-Quality Development of Silver Economy to Meet Elderly Needs

This year’s Government Work Report has put forward relevant requirements for advancing the high-quality development of the silver economy, a move that not only aligns with the sincere expectations of hundreds of millions of families but also points out the direction for the development of related industries, boosting confidence in engaging in this field.

A member of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) notes that the demands of China’s elderly population have evolved from "having a roof over their heads and enough to eat" to "living in peace, joy and comfort", adding that promoting the coordinated development of the elderly care cause and industry has become a consensus across society.

The silver economy, far from being confined to a single industry, is a comprehensive sector covering multiple fields, the CPPCC member argues. It can drive the coordinated upgrading of upstream and downstream industries, create more jobs, and inject strong momentum into boosting consumption.

Based on long-term frontline research and observations, the member points out that while the silver economy is developing rapidly, there are still shortcomings that need to be addressed. A prominent issue is the insufficient adaptability between supply and demand of relevant products, with serious homogenization of some elderly-friendly products and exaggerated publicity of product effects that easily misleads elderly consumers.

Most elderly-friendly service scenarios are relatively single at present, and the digital divide prevents many elderly people from conveniently accessing high-quality services such as online registration and intelligent elderly care, the member adds. At the same time, there is a large gap in professional elderly care talents.

To address these issues, the CPPCC member puts forward two key suggestions. On one hand, it is necessary to strengthen scientific guidance and build a solid line of defense for consumer safety. Relevant departments should take the lead in collaborating with experts to sort out health and wellness plans suitable for the elderly, and carry out regular popular science activities through communities, elderly care institutions and universities for the elderly to guide the elderly to establish concepts of scientific health preservation and rational consumption.

On the other hand, efforts should be made to standardize the industry order and improve the standard system. It is essential to strengthen the whole-chain supervision of elderly-friendly products and services, promote the establishment of unified industry norms and standards, and cultivate leading enterprises and high-quality brands, ensuring that enterprises have clear guidelines to follow and consumers can shop with confidence.

With the implementation of relevant arrangements and the joint efforts of the whole society, the silver economy will surely achieve high-quality development, the member says. She adds that she will continue to pay attention to the needs of the elderly population in the future, base herself on practices in the field of people’s livelihood consumption, and contribute to promoting the standardized development of the silver economy and enhancing the well-being of the elderly.