Preferences for Formal Social Care in Rural and Urban China: Evidence from a National Survey

A nationally representative sample of 10,682 Chinese older people aged 60 and over reveals that urban residents are more likely to prefer care home services than their rural counterparts.

• Older individuals in urban areas show a stronger preference for government-provided care compared to those in rural areas.
• Educational qualifications and the number of surviving children are significant predictors of preferences for formal care across both settings.
• In urban China, proximity to care home facilities and higher income may increase the willingness to reside in a care home.
• However, these factors are not significant predictors of formal care preferences in rural areas.
• A uniform social care policy may not address the diverse preferences of the older Chinese population.

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