What Business Opportunities Will China’s Silver Economy Bring to Foreign Investment?

Overview of China’s Silver Economy

China’s silver economy encompasses the core components of both the elderly care industry and the aging-care services system. It includes aging-care services, for which the government bears primary responsibility, and the elderly care industry, which is primarily market-driven. In terms of the industrial chain, it involves a series of economic activities such as finance, raw materials, logistics, R&D, production and manufacturing, products and services, distribution, and sales. 

In recent years, the Chinese government has been committed to developing the silver economy. The 2025 Government Work Report, published in March 2025, stressed the importance and necessity of improving supportive policies for the elderly care industry and vigorously promoting the silver economy. A report by the China Association of Social Welfare and Senior Service and the Contemporary Social Service Research Institute in December 2024 stated that the silver economy accounted for 7 trillion yuan ($965 billion), roughly 6 percent of the nation's GDP. The number is expected to reach 30 trillion yuan by 2035, accounting for up to 10 percent of the GDP, according to the report.

The robust growth of China's silver economy is primarily driven by:

1.     The rapid expansion of its elderly population

 According to the 2024 National Report on the Development of Aging Causes in China, the population aged 65 and above reached 220.23 million, accounting for 15.6% of the total population. The United Nations projections indicate that by 2050, China's population aged 65 and above will reach 380 million, representing 30.9% of the total population of China.

 （Source: NBS (National Bureau of Statistics of China)

2.    The growing purchasing power of the new generation of the elderly

Currently, more than 60% of aged people have a monthly disposable income exceeding RMB 5,000, demonstrating purchasing power on par with that of younger consumer groups. The primary consumption areas for China's elderly population include daily necessities (accounting for 39%) and healthcare-related expenses (accounting for 41%).

3.    The changes in the consumption concepts and structures of the

elderly population

Previously, Chinese seniors were widely known for their frugality and strong inclination toward saving. However, the current generation of older adults in China is breaking this stereotype. The focus of China’s senior population has shifted from basic subsistence to self-actualization. They no longer only need food, clothing, and shelter—they also seek healthcare, leisure, entertainment, and more.

Research from the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) reveals significant shifts in their lifestyle and consumption habits. An overwhelming majority (93%) of surveyed seniors expressed a preference for independent living, while 84% showed a tendency to purchase high-quality products and services. More than 70% reported an increase in disposable income due to rising pension benefits. Nearly half of the elderly population actively engages in digital communication.

Potential business opportunities bring to foreign investments.

The Chinese market is highly unique with distinct local characteristics. Having been rooted in China for over twenty years, CCA-IM (www.cca-im.com) has gained extensive observation and understanding of the Chinese market, and through visiting some exhibitions related to the silver economy, we predict the following sections or products may present potential business opportunities for foreign investment:

• Technology: Smart wearables for real-time monitoring of vital signs, such as wristbands, clothing, and mattresses; penetration rate reaching 32%, with AI voice assistants serving 2 million people daily.• Education and Tourism: Online courses at senior universities have seen a 120% annual increase in users, and outbound travel package bookings have grown by 65%.• Rehabilitation assistive devices: The exoskeleton robot market is growing at an annual rate of 45%, and the adoption rate of smart nursing beds has reached 40%.• Precision nutrition: DNA-customized nutrition plans are experiencing a 25% annual increase in penetration rate. The functional food market has exceeded 280 billion RMB, with the senior nutrition food segment growing at an annual rate of 40%.• Anti-aging technology: The clinical application of stem cell therapies is expanding, and skin rejuvenation projects are growing at an annual rate of over 40%.

• Private high-end healthcare. On November 29, 2024, the Chinese Government announced the "Work Plan for Expanding Open Trials in the Field of Wholly Foreign-Owned Hospitals." The plan proposes to allow the establishment of wholly foreign-owned hospitals in Beijing, Tianjin, Shanghai, Nanjing, Suzhou, Fuzhou, Guangzhou, Shenzhen, and the entire island of Hainan.

If you wish to gain more insights into the silver economy market in China, it is advisable to consult with CCA-IM and contact Jayson Cronin at jcronin@cca-im.com. CCA-IM provides expert support in areas including market research, sales strategy, business establishment, supply chain management, due diligence, etc. For more details about CCA-IM, please check out our website: www.cca-im.com.