More and more Chinese citizens worry about their old age as they are getting on in years. (File Photo)   Chinanews, Beijing, Jan. 13 – According to a survey released by Horizon Research Consultancy Group (Horizon Group), more and more Chinese citizens worry about their old age as they are getting on in years. More than 32 percent of respondents have such worries, and they are more upset when asked about care for the elderly.

 

In October 2006, Horizon Group launched this survey in 5 cities (Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Luoyang and Mianyang), 5 towns (Zhuji in Zhejiang Province, Beining in Liaoning Province, Linxiang in Hunan Province, Pengzhou in Sichuan Province and Xingping in Shaanxi Province) and 5 villages. Some 2,700 citizens in cities and towns and 1,070 citizens in villages participated in the survey. These respondents aged from 15 to 65 make 3,740 effective samples.

 

The survey finds that although the source of pension differs between town and country (pension is collected through social welfare system in cities, while senior citizens are provided for by their offspring in villages), it has been diversified in recent years. More people have found two more ways to get pensions. Less than 27 percent of respondents think their offspring should provide enough money for them.

 

Experts think that China’s social welfare system has developed well these years, and the traditional idea of relying on the government has become less popular. People have gradually realized that a diversified pension system is effective. Pressure on the government in pension provision has been eased.