China's aging population?

Question

what role COULD it play in China's demise as an emerging super power?

wiki says that it is a major economic problem in china...but it doesnt explain why or how.

could you?

thanks

Answer 1

I haven't read much on the effect of age on population/economy in China but I can give ya some general clues as to how it will effect China.  Their working population will go down.  And younger workers will have to deal with the costs for the older people in China (same thing we have in US, except I don't know how their social programs go, but I think they should have something for the elderly).  The costs including retirement and health costs too.  Since elderly people (usually, not all but most) tend to get sick more and have more problems, there will be higher costs upon the nation in general.  We'll have to see how it goes.  Elderly population could affect China's economy but it will also affect America's (and other populations with growing middle age/elderly retiring populations)..

Answer 2

Notice that China became the world's powerhouse mainly because of abundant and young manpower. The inversion of the age pyramid in China would mean that labor force/ population (20-60 years) will shrink significantly (less production and income) at the same time retirement, education costs ... related to unproductive population will increase. Something that already started in most developed countries as baby-boomers get ready to retire in huge numbers.