Elderly care services to be expanded

The report estimated that the aged care industry in China needs 10 million workers, with the great majority working in institutional care facilities.

However, by 2015, the industry had just 1 million workers - and only 20,000 had official training.

"To retain and incentivize the current aged care workforce, Chinese policymakers should focus on finding sustainable ways to raise the wages of these workers, and local governments must eventually increase minimum wages for elder care workers," the report added.

In its statement on Wednesday, the State Council said it will step up the training of workers for aged care institutions and support the development of commercial aged care insurance.

A long-term aged care mechanism featuring insurance, social benefits and government assistance will be established.

Subsidies for caring for elderly people who are faced with economic difficulties or physical disabilities will be increased, the statement said.

It also called for greater efforts to monitor the quality of products and services for the elderly and to crack down on wrongdoing that harms their interests.

Pan Helin, a researcher with the Chinese Academy of Fiscal Sciences, said the need for a more comprehensive aged care system is more pressing because the elderly are living increasingly lonely lives.

He said aged care services must focus on meeting seniors' physiological, safety and social belonging needs and nurturing their self-esteem and self-actualization.