China’s population of senior citizens will reach 250 million or 17 percent of the total population by 2020 and 400 million or 30 percent of the total population by 2050. This fast growing aging population will have an impact on the country’s economic and social development. It will also pose challenges for the existing inadequacy of the country’s pension and medical care system.
Source: BBC, July 11, 2008 http://news.bbc.co.uk/chinese/simp/hi/newsid_7500000/newsid_7502900/7502988.stm