Tom Orlik, Aging Chinese Face a Bleak Picture; High eates of poverty, disability and mental illness haunt elderly, pose growing economic challenge. Wall Street Journal, May 31, 2013. http://online.wsj.com/article/SB ... 14670311367016.html
Quote:
"Of the generation that built China's economic boom, 22.9%—or 42.4 million—live in poverty with consumption of less than 3,200 yuan a year ($522).
"it [the study, the first large-scale survey of those over 60] also showed that physical disability and mental-health problems are widespread: Of those surveyed, 38.1% reported difficulty with daily activities and 40% showed high symptoms of depression.
"International comparisons are made difficult by definitional issues. * * * The poverty rate for Americans aged over 65 is 8.7% according to the Census Bureau. The US Health and Retirement Study found that 26% to 27% of elderly Americans had a disability, and depression rates are also markedly lower than in China.