The decline in birth rates across the country has prompted early childhood education providers to diversify their offerings into elderly care, a sector experiencing rapid growth due to the aging population. Last year saw a decrease of 21,400 in the number of kindergartens, alongside a decline of 3.58 million in preschool enrollment, according to recent government data.
By the end of 2025, the number of residents aged 60 and older had reached 323.4 million—about 23 percent of the total population—while those aged 65 and above accounted for 16 percent, totaling 223.7 million people.
Educational institutions are adjusting to these demographic shifts. For example, a longstanding kindergarten in the Tianqiao district of Jinan has been converted into the Sanjiaoxian Comprehensive Elderly Care Service Center. Once fully operational, the center will serve as a day care and short-term respite facility for three local communities.
There is also a rising demand for educational and cultural programs among seniors as the so-called “silver economy” expands. Universities and other training centers are actively recruiting instructors to teach courses designed for older adults—covering traditional arts like singing, calligraphy, and dance, as well as modern fields such as artificial intelligence, video production, and drone operation.
Colleges specializing in teacher training, traditionally focused on early childhood education, are swiftly expanding their programs to include training for elderly care services. For instance, Xuzhou Kindergarten Teachers College now offers specialized programs in preschool education and health services management, with curricula incorporating language, culture, artificial intelligence, international education, arts, and sports.
In April, Loudi Preschool Education College received approval to establish a practical training center in partnership with Lianyuan Xiangzhong Health and Nursing Home. This center will provide courses in smart health and elderly care management, aiming to produce skilled professionals for the aging services industry.