Recent online analyses of social security data from several Chinese cities—including Lishui, Baiyin, Xuancheng, Tongling, Foshan, and Pu’er—suggest varying levels of contribution gaps between eligible contributors and actual payments. Estimates indicate that the highest non-payment rate was in Lishui, Zhejiang Province, at about 55.2 percent, followed by Baiyin, Gansu Province (41.2 percent) and Xuancheng, Anhui Province (30.2 percent), with lower rates in other cities. These calculations, based on publicly available data, have circulated online and sparked discussion.
A separate circulating estimate suggests that by the first quarter of 2025, approximately 42 million people nationwide may have stopped contributing to urban employee pension schemes, representing about 17.8 percent of participants. The trend appears more pronounced among individuals aged 25 to 35, with some observers attributing it to uncertainty about future returns from the pension system.
Under China’s social security system, individuals are generally required to continue contributions when unemployed or self-employed. However, some individuals report prioritizing immediate living expenses over long-term pension payments, particularly amid income volatility and economic uncertainty.
Source: Radio Free Asia, March 31, 2026
https://www.rfa.org/mandarin/shehui/2026/03/31/china-economy-social-security-pension-insurance/