At present, there are 2 1 provinces (autonomous regions and municipalities) in China that have become aging areas. During the 22 years from the third census in 1982 to 2004, the elderly population in China increased by 3.02 million annually, with an average annual growth rate of 2.85%, which was higher than the total population growth rate of 1. 17%. By the end of 2004, China's elderly population aged 60 and above had reached 654.38+43 billion, accounting for 654.38+00.97% of the total population. The aging level exceeds the national average in Shanghai (18.48%), Tianjin (13.75%), Jiangsu (13.75%), Beijing (13.66%) and Zhejiang (10). Shandong (12.3 1%), Sichuan (1 1.59%), Hunan (1 1.5 1%) and Anhui (1%).