What is the impact on Chinese society?
The emerging issue is that the rural elderly can’t depend on the traditional family support system anymore. Young people are migrating to developed areas and leaving their parents behind. According to the 2005 National Survey, this “floating population” of migrants is 147 million people. Because the migrants can’t get equal status and welfare rights as other city residents due to the hukou system of residential qualification, they can’t bring their families with them. This is the cause of these new living arrangements, which lead to a much higher proportion of elderly people in some rural areas than in cities. What is the government’s response? How will China take care of its elderly? It is recognized as a big problem by the government. The China National Committee on Aging was established, including 25 ministers for policymaking and implementation. A law protecting the rights and benefits of the elderly has been in place for 11 years. Shanghai and Beijing now have more elderly people
