The line chart delineates China’s demographic dynamics across three age brackets (0-14, 15-64, and 65+) from 1960 to 2020, with projections extending to 2050.
Broadly, it is discernible that the proportions of the middle and elderly age groups are slated to increase, while the share of the youngest cohort is anticipated to diminish. Notably, individuals aged 15-64 have constituted the largest segment of China’s populace, with the exception of the initial decade. Initially, the population aged 0-14 and 15-64 comprised approximately 45% (the largest segment) and 40%, respectively. While the former gradually declined to around 23% over six decades, the latter experienced a surge, reaching its apex at 70% in 2020, thus dominating the demographic distribution. Projections for 2050 indicate a similar declining trend for these two cohorts: to 17.5% for the younger age group and 52.5% for the middle-aged cohort.
The elderly population segment commenced at a modest 6% in 1960, steadily increasing over four decades to approximately 9%, a percentage that remained stable until 2010. This was succeeded by a sudden surge of approximately 6% over the subsequent decade. By 2050, it is expected that the proportion of the elderly population will escalate, surpassing the 0-14 age cohort to become the second-largest demographic segment.