https://www.live-feeds.com/feed/china-s-old-age-dependency-ratio-overtakes-children-for-first-timeContinuously updated, source-cited coverage. https://www.live-feeds.com/feed/china-s-old-age-dependency-ratio-overtakes-children-for-first-timehttps://www.live-feeds.com/feed/china-s-old-age-dependency-ratio-overtakes-children-for-first-time#u168775Sun, 01 Nov 2026 17:45:10 +0000China's population is ageing rapidly, with the number of elderly dependants now outnumbering children for the first time. This shift is driven by a low birth rate and increasing life expectancy. The old-age dependency ratio exceeded the child dependency ratio in 2025, marking a significant change in the country's demographic structure. This trend poses challenges for China's pension system and social services.Why it mattersChina's one-child policy, introduced in 1979 and relaxed in recent years, has contributed to the country's rapidly ageing population. The policy led