Shanghai Senior Expo Reveals China’s Silver Economy Demands
SHANGHAI — The 2026 Shanghai International Senior Care, Assistive Devices and Rehabilitation Medical Expo (“Shanghai Senior Expo” or “Laobohui”) has opened its doors, offering a revealing glimpse into the real needs and pain points of China’s rapidly aging population. Running from June 4 to 6 at the Shanghai New International Expo Centre, the event has drawn nearly 680 exhibitors from over 20 countries and regions across 60,000 square meters of exhibition space, according to The Paper.
With China’s population aged 60 and above reaching 310 million in 2024 — representing 22% of the total population — the expo has become a key barometer for the country’s burgeoning “silver economy,” a market valued at approximately ¥7 trillion RMB and growing at over 10% annually.
From Elderly Care to Elderly Enjoyment
The expo marks a significant shift in how China approaches its aging demographic. The Shanghai Civil Affairs Bureau, which co-organized the event, described the transformation as moving from “‘养老’ (elderly care) to ‘享老’ (elderly enjoyment).” The Shanghai Civil Affairs Bureau noted that the exhibits “provide comprehensive support for the silver-haired population, also reflecting the actual ‘pain points’ and real needs of today’s elderly.”
Unlike traditional trade fairs, the expo features immersive experience zones where visitors can test aging-friendly home modifications, explore smart bathroom renovations with handrails and anti-slip solutions, and try on exoskeleton suits in a dedicated competitive evaluation zone. The event is part of Shanghai’s seventh “55 Shopping Festival,” positioning elderly care within the broader consumer economy.
Technology Takes Center Stage
A major highlight of this year’s expo is the prominent role of artificial intelligence and robotics in elderly care. Huihua Intelligence showcased its “Xiaobai·Lingdong Edition” active AI companion robot, while Deyin Technology demonstrated its SOMO platform with an intelligent arm-controlled smart wheelchair. All-terrain accessibility robots capable of climbing stairs drew significant attention, as captured in Xinhua News Agency photo coverage published via China Economic Net.
The integration of technology reflects a broader trend: China’s seniors are becoming increasingly digitally engaged, spending over four hours online daily, according to Daxue Consulting. Platforms like Taobao have launched “Elder Mode” interfaces, and the expo’s smart home aging-friendly solutions demonstrate how technology is becoming central to China’s elderly care strategy.
A Market of Unprecedented Scale
The economic opportunity is staggering. Daxue Consulting projects that by 2040, China will have over 400 million citizens aged 60 and above, forming 28% of the population. Per capita output among seniors reached RMB 46,333 in 2024, and the silver economy market is projected to exceed ¥16 trillion by 2025, driven by rising life expectancy, declining birth rates, and increasing disposable income among older consumers.
International brands are taking notice. Exhibitors at the expo include Daone from France, IQAir from Switzerland, IKEA from Sweden, alongside major Chinese companies such as Mlily (China’s leading smart bed brand), Dunhuang Musical Instruments, and Bright Dairy. Financial institutions including Bank of Communications and Shanghai Pudong Development Bank are also present, offering retirement financial planning services.
Government Support and Consumer Incentives
The Chinese government is actively shaping the silver economy through policy support. Shanghai is offering consumption subsidies of up to 20% on eligible aging-friendly products as part of its 2026 consumer goods trade-in policy, along with home renovation subsidies of up to ¥5,000 per household for aging-friendly modifications.
The city has also promoted a “15-minute meal service circle” initiative, showcased at the expo’s dedicated dining zone, which ensures elderly residents can access affordable, nutritious meals within a quarter-hour walk from their homes.
Shifting Consumer Behavior
Research indicates a fundamental transformation in how China’s seniors approach consumption. The shift is from treatment to prevention, driving demand for functional foods, Traditional Chinese Medicine, and wearable health tech. Ninety percent of seniors prefer to age at home, fueling demand for community-based services, smart home solutions, and meal delivery. Today’s retirees increasingly prioritize quality of life, spending on travel, wellness, and leisure rather than simply saving.
A commenter on The Paper’s coverage captured a common sentiment: “The key to designing products for the elderly is simplicity and practicality; fancy and flashy things are truly useless.”
What’s Next for China’s Silver Economy
As China’s aging population continues to grow, the silver economy represents one of the country’s most significant growth markets. The expo demonstrates that the sector is evolving beyond basic care products into a comprehensive ecosystem encompassing AI, robotics, smart home technology, financial services, and lifestyle products.
Key questions remain, however, including how lower-income seniors will access increasingly technology-driven products and whether AI and smart technologies will truly serve elderly users or create new barriers for less tech-savvy individuals. As other Asian economies face similar aging challenges, China’s innovations in this space may serve as a model for the region.
The Shanghai Senior Expo closes on June 6, but the insights it has generated about the real demands of China’s elderly population will shape the industry for years to come.