China's Elderly Population Hits 320 Million by End 2025; Six Provinces Boost Health Tourism

As of the end of 2025, China's population aged 60 and above reached 320 million. The new generation of elderly born after 1960 have gradually entered retirement. Surveys show that more than 60% of healthy younger elderly travel more than three times per year.

Hainan, Yunnan, Sichuan, Guangxi, Guizhou, and Jilin have introduced measures to develop the health and living tourism industry. Different strategies are adopted: northern regions focus on summer heat-escape health stays, while southern regions emphasize winter living and retirement. Large cities set standards and systems, while small and medium cities highlight features and services.

The 2026 Boao Forum for Asia Annual Conference revealed that the demand ratio for migratory bird-style living is far higher than the actual consumption ratio, indicating a serious supply-demand mismatch. With incomplete industry infrastructure, medical support, and public services, some localities and enterprises have blindly launched large-scale health real estate projects, leading to low occupancy rates and some projects becoming stalled.