China Social Science Review

No.4, 2024

 

 

Wang Guangzhou

 

Population aging is a complex process involving increased life expectancy and changes in fertility rates, which significantly impact economic and social structures. Over the past 70 years, China’s population has experienced several peaks and troughs in births, creating structural and trend fluctuations. Under the current ultra-low fertility and accelerated negative population growth, there are still deficiencies in the basic theories, statistical indicators, and applied research on population aging in China. Uncertainties in key statistical indicators and associated trends, such as the total fertility rate and average life expectancy, could result in misjudgments about the process, characteristics, and trends of population aging. Improving basic research on population aging in China requires enhancing the collection of critical data, conducting in-depth research on core statistical measurement methods, and promoting theoretical innovation, thereby providing a scientific basis for actively addressing the potential risks of an aging society.