Core Viewpoint - The aging population in Guangzhou poses significant challenges to the social security system, necessitating improvements in healthcare and pension policies to address the increasing dependency ratio and healthcare costs [1][2][3]. Demographic Trends - Guangzhou's elderly population is rapidly increasing, with 204.77 million people aged 60 and above, accounting for 19.38% of the total population, and 147.15 million aged 65 and above, making up 13.93% [2]. - The elderly dependency ratio is 32.10% for those aged 60 and above and 21.16% for those aged 65 and above, indicating a trend towards a moderately aging society [2]. Challenges in Healthcare Insurance - The current funding model for medical insurance is inadequate to cope with the systemic risks posed by an aging population, as the per capita medical expenditure for retirees is over four times that of active workers [3]. - The reliance on contributions from active workers while retirees incur higher medical costs creates a growing financial strain on the medical insurance fund [3]. Long-term Care Insurance System - Although Guangzhou has made progress in establishing a long-term care insurance system, there are still significant areas for improvement, including uneven distribution of care facilities and limited service coverage [4][5]. - Approximately 30% of designated care institutions only provide basic living assistance without medical care services, highlighting a gap in comprehensive care [4][6]. Recommendations for Improvement - Establish a diversified funding mechanism for medical insurance, including expanding coverage and exploring capital market investments to enhance fund stability [7]. - Optimize the layout of long-term care service institutions based on demographic needs and expand the range of services offered to include preventive care and psychological support [8]. - Encourage the development of supplementary medical insurance through tax incentives for businesses and promote commercial health insurance to meet diverse healthcare needs [10]. - Adjust the payment and contribution methods for retirees to improve the sustainability of the medical insurance fund, potentially implementing a system where retirees contribute based on their income [12].