In response to the growing challenges posed by an aging population, China has unveiled plans to incorporate humanoid robots into its elderly care services. This initiative, announced by the Chinese State Council on Tuesday, is part of broader policy measures aimed at harnessing advanced technologies to address the country’s aging demographics.

The new guidelines, issued by the Communist Party of China Central Committee and the State Council on December 30, 2024, highlight the development of humanoid robots, brain-computer interfaces, and artificial intelligence (AI) solutions tailored to elder care. These measures aim to establish a robust nationwide elderly care service network by 2029 and ensure that by 2035, all senior citizens will have access to essential care services.

China is grappling with one of the fastest-growing elderly populations in the world. As of the end of 2023, over 216.76 million Chinese citizens were aged 65 and above, making up 15.4% of the total population. With only 8.2 million elderly care beds available across the country, this demographic shift underscores the urgent need for innovative caregiving solutions.

In response, China is not only integrating humanoid robots with advanced interaction capabilities but is also developing intelligent home systems aimed at improving safety and enhancing the quality of life for senior citizens. These robots are being utilized for emotional support, health monitoring, and assistance with smart home services—ushering in a new era of high-tech care for the elderly.

The Chinese government is also working on a national information platform for elderly care, which will help streamline and optimize care delivery, ensuring that supply aligns with the growing demand for services. In addition, several cities have already begun to implement these technologies. Beijing’s Municipal Science and Technology Commission has launched an action plan focused on robotic caregiving roles through 2027, while cities like Wuhan and Shanghai are leading the way with local initiatives and governance guidelines for humanoid robots.

China’s initiative is part of a broader trend across the Asia Pacific region, where aging populations are becoming a pressing concern. According to the Asian Development Bank (ADB), the number of people aged 60 and over in developing Asia and the Pacific is expected to double to 1.2 billion by 2050, making up nearly a quarter of the region’s total population.

ADB Chief Economist Albert Park remarked, “Asia and the Pacific’s rapid development is a success story, but it’s also fueling a huge demographic shift, and the pressure is rising. Governments need to prepare now if they’re going to be able to help hundreds of millions of people in the region age well.”

This aging trend is not limited to China. India, home to the world’s largest youth population, is also facing a rapidly aging demographic. A 2023 report by the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) projected that India’s elderly population would increase from 153 million to 347 million by 2050, highlighting critical issues such as insufficient healthcare access and the lack of pension systems.

As the elderly populations across the Asia Pacific region continue to grow, the demand for innovative elderly care solutions is becoming increasingly urgent. China’s integration of humanoid robots and AI technology into elder care services is a promising step toward meeting this demand. However, as with all new technologies, the effectiveness and practicality of these solutions will require continuous monitoring and evaluation.

The global community must also reassess current policies and consider adopting similar high-tech approaches to meet the needs of aging societies. In doing so, governments can ensure that senior citizens lead healthy, dignified lives while reducing the strain on traditional care systems.

By Impact Lab