For the first time in records dating back to 1949, China is now home to more people aged 65 and above than children, the latest official data showed, underscoring the country’s deepening demographic pressure.

By November last year, 15.87 per cent of China’s roughly 1.4 billion-strong population was aged at least 65, compared with 15.25 per cent aged between 0 to 14, according to the results of a nationwide sample survey released late last week.

That meant China’s traditional family-based model of elderly care was under immense pressure, said independent demographer He Yafu, while the burden on social security pension payments was growing heavier.

The data was extrapolated from a November “mini-census” – a sample survey of 1 per cent of the nationwide population held between the once-a-decade national censuses – that covered over 20 million people, the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) said.

“In pension provision, the population aged 65 and over – the main users of pensions and elderly care services – has now overtaken the child population, adding further strain to social security pension payments,” He said.

“At the family level, the rising number of elderly people and the trend towards smaller households are placing immense pressure on the traditional family caregiving model.”

The survey also found the country’s working age population – who were expected to support more elderly people – was also shrinking. Those aged between 15 and 59 accounted for 61.89 per cent of the total population, down from 67.33 per cent a decade ago.