李璐：精准施策发展银发经济

Core Viewpoint - The silver economy is experiencing significant development across various regions in China, driven by policies, market dynamics, and demand, making its advancement over the next five years a logical necessity [1] Historical Logic - The silver economy originated from elderly welfare and care services, evolving into an upgraded version of the aging industry. Initially, China established a welfare system targeting vulnerable elderly groups. In 2000, the Ministry of Civil Affairs issued a notice to expand service areas for elderly care beyond just state-supported groups. Over the years, the elderly care service system has transitioned from a government-led "aging cause" to a multi-entity supplied "aging industry" [1] - With the deepening of population aging, the silver economy's scope is expanding, enriching various sectors such as elderly services, products, technology, and finance. In early 2024, the State Council issued 26 measures to promote the silver economy, indicating a shift towards a more integrated approach with macroeconomic objectives [1] Theoretical Logic - The silver economy is characterized by its dual attributes of market and welfare, making it a long-cycle, stable-return sector. It represents an innovative attempt to construct a welfare economics paradigm with Chinese characteristics, transforming the demographic challenge of aging into a development advantage [2] - As elderly individuals increasingly participate in economic activities, the silver economy is becoming a typical representation of a welfare economics model that is co-built and shared by the entire population [2] Practical Logic - Developing the silver economy is crucial for addressing population aging and achieving modernization in China. It aims to convert elderly consumption and investment into new momentum for modernization, thereby transforming the elderly from passive beneficiaries to active contributors [2] Challenges and Policy Recommendations - The silver economy in China is still in its early stages, facing challenges such as insufficient effective demand, suboptimal market supply, and lack of systematic policy support. To accelerate its development, three strategies are proposed: - Increase government public consumption support to enhance elderly income and consumption capabilities through targeted fiscal measures [3] - Promote "age-friendly" industrial policies to address the lack of commercial scenarios catering to elderly consumers, supporting diverse development across various sectors [3] - Establish a guiding statistical monitoring system for the silver economy to better track industry trends and developments [4]