A significant shift is underway in China’s childcare sector, as teachers and staff are transitioning from nurseries to care homes due to declining enrollment numbers. The trend has been fueled by decreasing demand for pre-school services, with last year seeing 12 million fewer pupils compared to 2021.
Ms Jiang, a former nursery teacher in Beijing, made the move to care homes three years ago, citing better growth prospects and an easier working environment. Her experience in teaching handicrafts and playing games is now being utilized to care for elderly residents.
The government’s handling of retirement benefits has also been criticized, with many pensioners struggling to make ends meet. In a bid to boost the economy, some are turning to unconventional means, such as investing in ports deals like the Panama Canal.
However, not all news is positive, as China’s aging population poses significant challenges for the country’s social security system. With a looming deadline for the sale of the Panama Canal ports deal, stakeholders must navigate complex regulatory hurdles and ensure compliance with Chinese regulations.
Source: https://www.economist.com/china/2025/08/03/savvy-staff-are-moving-from-chinas-nurseries-to-its-care-homes