China to Launch ‘Silver Trains’ for Ederly Tourists

China is set to introduce a large-scale network of “Silver Tourist Trains” designed specifically for senior citizens, aiming to tap into the growing spending power of one of the world's fastest-aging populations.

This initiative is part of a broader strategy to boost the “silver economy”—a sector driven by the needs of the elderly.

China’s elderly population (aged 60 and above) has surged to nearly 300 million as of 2023. The government estimates that the silver economy was worth 7 trillion yuan ($958 billion) last year and aims to expand it to 30 trillion yuan by 2035.

To support this initiative, multiple government departments have issued an official action plan emphasizing the need for senior-friendly train services equipped with medical and elderly care facilities. By 2027, this network is expected to span the entire country.

China’s rapidly aging population is a direct result of decades of the one-child policy, which suppressed birth rates.

This demographic shift poses a long-term challenge to the world's second-largest economy, which is already grappling with weak consumer demand, a historic property market slowdown, and slower economic growth post-pandemic.

Government data shows that one in five Chinese citizens was over 60 by the end of 2022, with projections indicating further increases.

Despite policy efforts to encourage family growth, China's population has been declining for three consecutive years, even as birth rates saw a slight rebound in 2023.

The new tourist trains align with China’s broader efforts to stimulate spending among retirees. Retirement age reforms are also in motion, gradually increasing the retirement age from 60 to 63 for men and from 50 to 55 for women in manual labor roles.