Hey fam, big news out of the Chinese mainland: over the last five years, they’ve seriously leveled up their social safety net! 🚀 From boosting allowances to rolling out new care services, here’s the lowdown on how things got more inclusive and people-friendly under the 14th Five-Year Plan (2021–2025).
Expanding Core Support 🛡️
Basic living allowances in urban areas rose by 19.6% and rural by 21.3% since 2020. That means around 39.4 million low-income residents and 4.82 million extremely poor individuals now get regular support. Think of it like a financial cushion that’s now bigger and keeps up with rising costs.
Kid-Friendly Upgrades 👶
Child welfare has gone next level. Orphans, left-behind children (whose parents move to city hubs like Shanghai and Shenzhen for work) and migrant kids now have broader protection and care options. It’s a major step toward a full-circle system that keeps every child covered.
Disability & Mental Health 🤝
For people with disabilities, the government launched living and nursing subsidies, sped up services for the severely disabled, and strengthened community rehab for mental disorders. Over 1.26 million folks have benefited so far – helping them live more independently and with dignity.
New Age of Elder Care ❤️
Elderly care got a total makeover: 406,000 care facilities and 7.99 million beds by end of 2024, 2.24 million home renovations for seniors with special needs, 500 model home-care networks, 2,990 age-friendly communities, plus 86,000 elderly canteens serving 3+ million seniors daily. On top of that, high-age allowances and nursing support now reach 49.45 million older residents.
Easy & Inclusive Services ✍️
Social services are more accessible too. Marriage registration is streamlined, while funeral and burial options expanded with 3,350 public ash facilities and 16,800 new cemeteries in five years – offering dignity and peace of mind for families.
Charity on the Rise 🌱
The charity scene is thriving, with over 16,000 registered organizations (70% more than 2020) and annual donations topping 200 billion yuan (about $28 billion). It’s proof that compassion and social responsibility are growing stronger across communities.
Overall, the Chinese mainland’s social safety net is denser, more targeted and people-focused – making sure the perks of modernization touch everyone. 👏
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
