China: Population Distribution, by age bracket
Age bracket2022,
in %
2023,
in %
0-15 years18.1517.60
16-59 years62.0061.30
60 years and older19.8521.10
65 years and older14.9015.40
  • Region: China
  • Time period: 2022 and 2023
  • Published: Jan 2024

Data Analysis and Insights

Updated: Mar 29, 2024 | Published by: Statistico | About Us | Data sources

Shift towards an older population

Between 2022 and 2023, China's population aged 60 years and older experienced a significant growth, from 19.85% to 21.10%, indicating a swift shift towards an older population. This demographic now represents over a fifth of the population, underscoring the country's rapid aging trend.

Decline in the working-age population

The working-age group, spanning 16-59 years, saw a decrease in its share of the population, moving from 62.00% in 2022 to 61.30% in 2023. This reduction reflects challenges in labor force sustainability and potential pressures on economic growth.

Increased percentage of the elderly

Individuals aged 65 years and older now constitute 15.40% of the population in 2023, up from 14.90% in 2022. This increase further highlights the aging population dilemma, with a growing need for elderly care services and pension system adjustments.

Decrease in the youth population

The population aged 0-15 years witnessed a decline from 18.15% in 2022 to 17.60% in 2023. This drop signals potential future challenges in maintaining a stable replacement rate and could impact the demographic makeup and economic dynamics.

Frequently Asked Questions

What significant growth was observed in China's older population?

China's population aged 60 years and older saw a growth from 19.85% to 21.10% between 2022 and 2023.

Did the working-age population increase or decrease?

The share of working-age population, spanning 16-59 years, decreased from 62.00% in 2022 to 61.30% in 2023.

What is the percentage of individuals in China aged 65 years and older?

In 2023, individuals aged 65 years and older constitute 15.40% of China's population.

Was there a change observed in the population aged 0-15 years?

Yes, China's population aged 0-15 years declined from 18.15% in 2022 to 17.60% in 2023.

Terms and Definitions

Population distribution refers to the manner in which people are spaced over the Earth's surface. This could be evenly distributed, or it may appear in clusters. It can be studied over various geographical regions, such as a city, country or the entire globe.

An age bracket, also known as an age group or age range, refers to the grouping of people based on their age. It is often used in statistical contexts to measure data from different sections of a population.

The age-dependency ratio is a measure showing the number of dependents (aged 0-14 and over the age of 65) to the total population (aged 15-64). A high dependency ratio means that those of working age, and the overall economy, face a greater burden in supporting the aging population.

Demographics are statistical data relating to the population and the particular groups within it. It includes various factors like age, gender, income, race, and employment.

A census is an official survey conducted by a government to gather information about the population. This can include data about individuals’ age, gender, household, employment status and more. It serves as a vital tool for government planning and policy making.

Population aging is a term used to describe the situation where the median age of a country or region rises due to increasing life expectancy and/or declining birth rates. This typically results in a shift in the age distribution of a population towards older ages.

The median age is the age that divides a population into two numerically equal groups; half the people are younger than this age and half are older. It is a single index that summarizes the age distribution of a population.

The birth rate is the number of live births occurring among the population of a given geographical area during a given year, per 1,000 mid-year total population of the given geographical area during the same year.

Life expectancy is a statistical measure of how long a person is expected to live, based on the year of their birth, current age, and other demographic factors including gender.
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