Chinese increasingly put health, family above professional success after pandemic, survey shows
- Among 13 Asian markets, including Hong Kong, most people say the way they define success has changed because of Covid-19
- But a rising emphasis on extending longevity puts more pressure on ageing societies such as China, and steps need to be taken now to curb long-term systemic risks
Two-thirds of China’s 1.4 billion residents believe they will be healthy enough to live to at least 80 years old, according to a new survey that reflects how health and longevity have become greater priorities in the wake of the pandemic.
However, if those expectations pan out, it could pose a greater threat to China’s worsening demographic crisis while further straining the pension system, and steps need to be taken now to stem the risks, according to the findings released on Wednesday by insurance company Prudential.
In the firm’s survey of 5,000 residents from 13 Asian markets, China placed in the top three in terms of confidence in healthy longevity, and Asians in general are doing more to prioritise family and health.
Across all of the studied markets, including Hong Kong, Singapore, Taiwan, India and most Southeast Asian countries, seven out of 10 people said that how they define success in life has changed because of Covid-19.
While professional success would have been their major aspiration five years ago, it has now been replaced by spending more time with family, followed by maintaining emotional and mental health, the findings suggest.
Those from mainland China, where the official average life expectancy stood at 77.93 last year, also said they were happier with their lives than did people from most other regions.
