The graph illustrates how Chinese population has changed since 1960 and features future projections as far as 2050. The data include three different age groups.
Overall, the upward trend for those aged 65 has maintained itself since the start of the period and will continue to do so, as will the falling pattern for the group aged 14 and under. In contrast, the age group between 15 and 64 shows a rise in the first six decades followed by a steady decline.
Initially, those aged 14 and under were the largest age group and accounted for around 45% of the population, while those aged over 65 were the smallest age group at just about 5%. The figure for the former category has been falling up to this moment, with the forecast predicting further decrease to 17.5% by 2050. Conversely, the latter group has mainly grown throughout the time, although the figure plateaued between 1990 and 2010. The percentage for this group is expected to reach approximately 25.5% in 2050.
Turning to those aged 15 to 64, the group began at about 40% and showed an upward trend, which reversed itself after reaching a peak of 70% in 2020. The fall is predicted to continue, with the figure dropping to just above 52.5% by mid-century.