Author(s)

Vaishali Singh

Department of East Asian Studies, University of Delhi, Delhi, India.

As the defining characteristic of the twenty-first century, global ageing poses some overwhelming demographic questions. The most important challenge comes in the form of the glaring impact of ageing society on the continuous labor supply to sustain the growth momentum. Given the vast size and rapid pace of demographic change, China is one nation facing a humongous policy challenge in the arena of labor and social policy. From retirement policies, older worker discrimination to the strain on social security systems, the range of issues is quite varied. The paper thus looks at the policy challenges and options in framing a prudent labor policy in the light of a rapidly ageing society. In dealing with the policy challenges and learning from international experience, the study makes a comparison with policies in Japan where the concerted efforts by state has resulted in innovative and elderly-friendly work policies. The study finds that managing ageing workforce is the most viable option which requires that policies be rejiggered at state, market and familial level.

China, Ageing, Labor Policy, Older Workers

Singh, V. (2018) Ageing Society and Labor Policy in China: Analyzing Policy Challenges and Options. Chinese Studies, 7, 242-250. doi: 10.4236/chnstd.2018.73021.