The number and proportion of older people as a share of the population in the People’s Republic of China 
(PRC) is rapidly growing. Demographic estimates indicate that the country will move from an aging to 
aged society by 2027, and the proportion of people aged 60 and above is expected to increase from 18.7% 
in 2020 to 35% by 2050—turning the population into one of the oldest in the world at a fast pace. A 
falling fertility rate, smaller families, and longer life expectancy have decreased the proportion of 
young people and increased the proportion of older people. These demographic changes will have major 
economic and social impacts on the country’s labor force, health care, elderly care, and pension 
systems. At the same time, aging provides opportunities for economic development. Rising disposable 
income and assets among the older population will create demand for goods and services and will catalyze 
growth in pension and insurance funds. Older people have substantial potential to contribute to 
sustainable economic growth as part of a multigenerational workforce, which will require development of 
age-friendly and healthy aging policies, including more flexible work and retirement options; age-
friendly workplaces; and retraining, reskilling, and upskilling. These policies will help ensure that 
older workers can fully participate in the PRC’s economic activities.

On 8 December 2021, Asian Development Bank (ADB) approved the knowledge and support technical assistance 
(TA) 6862-PRC: National Strategy and Policy Framework on Adapting to the Aging Population. The TA will 
help the Government of the PRC respond to aging population by undertaking research and developing the 
policy tools and action plans related to aging and elderly care. 

Together with the national consulting firm recruited under TA 6862-PRC, the individual international 
consultants (the consultants) will undertake research and analysis and help the National Development and 
Reform Commission (NDRC) of the People's Republic of China (PRC), the technical assistance (TA) 
executing agency, develop policy tools, action plans, cost estimates, and strengthen capacity of the 
government staff and other TA stakeholders. 

The proposed consulting assignment will (i) help the executing agency develop the national policies, 
policy tools, cost estimates, and strategies supporting the national plan to actively respond to 
population aging and strengthening the aging policy framework; and (ii) develop the capacity of 
government staff, policymakers, civil society organizations (CSOs), and other stakeholders by conducting 
a series of workshops, trainings, and seminars, including knowledge product presentations based on the 
research, cost analysis, and development of policy tools and strategies carried out during the TA 
implementation.

The consultants will help the government achieve the following TA outputs:

(i) Output 1: Policy advice on strengthening aging-related services and systems developed. Output 1 will 
help the government develop policy tools, action plans, and cost estimates that will facilitate 
implementation of the national plan on responding to population aging.  Such tools and action plans will 
focus on four areas: (a) financial markets and services for older people, (b) elderly care systems and 
services (ECSS), (c) technological support for and digital inclusion (TSDI) of older people, and (d) 
livability and age-friendliness (LAF) of cities. Together with the national consulting firm recruited 
under TA 6862-PRC, under Output 1, the consultants will carry out scoping, research, sex-disaggregated 
data collection and analysis, cost analysis, and field visits (online for international consultants) to 
the selected cities and provinces (inclusive of rural areas)—including Beijing, Hohhot, Jinan, Shanghai, 
and Xi'an—chosen for their relevant experience in implementing the aging-related policies.

(ii) Output 2: Policymakers’ knowledge and capacity on aging-related policies and issues enhanced. 
Output 2 will include a series of workshops, trainings, and seminars, including presentations on 
knowledge products to relevant government staff, policymakers, CSOs, and other stakeholders based on the 
research and cost analysis carried out under output 1. The TA will develop the capacity of policymakers 
by training of stakeholders from the agencies involved in adapting to aging population. The trainings 
and seminars will be delivered by experts with international experience on adapting to aging and will 
include recommendations for interagency coordination on aging-related activities and policies.

The consultants will report to the relevant ADB staff. The consulting assignment will include the 
following phases (i) inception; (ii) research, data collection and analysis, cost analysis, and 
development of an investment program; and (iii) capacity development and knowledge sharing.

Phase 1–inception (1 month). In consultation with the key TA stakeholders and with guidance from ADB and 
the executing agency, together with the national consulting firm (para. 3), the consultants will prepare 
the TA inception report that will comprise findings of the inception phase activities that will include 
but will not be limited to the tasks set out below. Following the review of the draft inception report, 
the consultants will address the stakeholders’ comments and suggestions, and finalize and submit the 
inception report to ADB and the executing agency. The inception phase will include but will not be 
limited to the following tasks:

(i) Research and data and cost analysis plan. Prepare detailed research including review of literature 
on the international best practices, and data and cost analysis plan to be discussed with the TA 
stakeholders and approved by ADB and the executing agency at the inception workshop. The research and 
data and cost analysis will focus on the following aging-related fields: (a) FMS for older people 
(technical report 1), (b) ECSS development (technical report 2), (c) TSDI of older people (technical 
report 3), and (d) LAF of cities (technical report 4). The consulting firm will propose the key 
concepts, structure, contents, and format of the above technical reports.
(ii) Field visits. The government proposed to carry out research in the following sample cities with the 
adjacent rural areas: Beijing, Hohhot, Jinan, Shanghai, and Xi'an. During the field visits, the 
consultants will collect data and assess the key challenges, achievements, practical experience of the 
stakeholders involved in the aging-related activities and services. At the inception phase, together 
with the national consulting firm, the international consultants, in coordination with ADB, the 
executing agency, and other stakeholders will discuss and finalize the list of the cities for the field 
studies.
(iii) Review of data, literature, and report analysis. Review the available international and national 
aging-related data and best practices, which will include but will not be limited to (a) existing 
dataset such as the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study which tracks older persons and 
collects data on a wide range of issues including physical and mental health, economic and social 
status, family support, social protection, and employment status of older persons; (b) ADB’s Asian 
Economic Integration Report 2019/2020 and its theme chapter on demographic change, productivity, and the 
role of technology;  (c) data and reports generated under an ADB-funded TA, which draws on a set of 
microdata series across developing member countries to examine the socioeconomic wellbeing of older 
persons;  and (d) other relevant sources of data related to aging in the PRC. The review of data, 
literature, and reports will focus on the four fields indicated in item (i).
(iv) Lessons learned. Review and analyze the lessons learned from completed and ongoing elderly care and 
aging-related projects and programs financed by the government, ADB, and other international donor 
organizations in the PRC.
(v) Policy and regulatory frameworks. Review and assess the current policy and regulatory frameworks 
related to the four research areas in the PRC.
(vi) Capacity development and knowledge sharing program. Together with the consulting firm, the 
consultants will draft and discuss with ADB and the executing agency a tentative capacity development 
program, including the target groups, program, schedule, budget, and other relevant aspects of the 
program.
(vii) Inception workshop. In close consultation with the ADB and the executing agency, together with the 
consulting firm, the consultants will organize the TA inception workshop. At the workshop, the 
consultants and the consulting firm will present the inception phase findings and deliverables. The 
workshop participants will include all the representatives of ADB, executing agency, and relevant TA 
stakeholders from other agencies and organizations.

Deliverables of phase 1–inception. Together with the consulting firm, the consultants will submit the 
following deliverables: (i) research and data and cost analysis plan, (ii) draft inception report, and 
(iii) final inception report. The inception report will (i) include the technical report concepts, 
structure, and proposed format; (ii) be discussed with the project stakeholders; and (iii) be agreed on 
and endorsed by ADB and the executing agency at the inception workshop.

Phase 2–research, cost analysis, and development of policy tools and strategies (8 months). In Phase 2, 
together with the consulting firm, the consultants will prepare their respective sections of the four 
technical reports that will cover the following aging-related fields: (i) FMS for the older people 
(technical report 1); (ii) ECSS development (technical report 2); (iii) TSDI of older people (technical 
report 3); and (iv) LAF of cities (technical report 4). The reports will include the results of the 
research; data and cost analysis; and the developed policy tools, recommendations, strategies, and cost 
estimates for the government aiming at helping the country adapt to aging.

The technical reports will build on the concepts, structure, and format proposed, discussed, and agreed 
on during the phase 1–inception. Phase 2 will include the following activities and deliverables for the 
consultants:
(i) undertake the research and data and cost analysis as per the detailed plan agreed upon during phase 
1–inception;
(ii) undertake field studies in the cities and rural areas as agreed during phase 1–inception;
(iii) prepare four technical reports, one report per subsector;
(iv) based on the four technical reports, prepare a comprehensive technical report that will include the 
recommended policy framework inputs, policy recommendations, tools, action plans, cost analysis, and 
investment program for the selected aging-related issues, with a concise executive summary; and
(v) using the results from the technical report, develop inputs to policy framework, policy 
recommendations, tools, and cost analysis; and in close coordination with the executing agency, finalize 
the detailed capacity development and knowledge sharing plan (CDKSP) and program that will include a 
methodology for the technical report to measure participants’ improved understanding of the aging-
related policies and issues to be finalized and approved at the inception workshop.

Deliverables of phase 2–research, cost analysis, and development of policy tools and strategies. The 
consultants will prepare their respective sections of the following deliverables: (i) four draft 
technical reports, (ii) four final technical reports, (iii) four comprehensive technical reports, and 
(iv) a final midterm report.

Phase 3–capacity development and knowledge sharing (3 months). The consulting firm, in close 
consultation with the executing agency, will carry out the CDKSP per the detailed plan, program, and 
budget agreed upon during phases 1 and 2. During phase 3, the consultants will carry out the following 
activities and prepare and submit the following deliverables:
(i) implement the approved CDKSP including a series of activities aimed at stakeholders from the 
relevant government agencies, municipalities, private sector participants, CSOs, and social forces 
involved in actively responding to aging population;
(ii) produce and disseminate a knowledge product based on the technical reports and case studies in 
English and Chinese; and
(iii) organize the final workshop and webinar that will include the presentations on the completed TA 
activities and deliverables.

Deliverables of phase 3–capacity development and knowledge sharing. Together with the national 
consulting firm, the consultants will submit the following deliverables: (i) capacity development and 
knowledge sharing workshops and training, (ii) draft knowledge product and final report, and (iii) final 
knowledge product and report.

Procedures for review and acceptance of deliverables. Each of the deliverables will be reviewed by ADB 
and the executing agency and may be subject to independent peer review. Draft outputs will be submitted 
to the executing agency in both hard and electronic forms, and to ADB in electronic form. The TA 
consultants will address comments from ADB and the executing agency in finalizing the reports and 
deliverables.

Upon formal acceptance of the consulting assignment outputs by ADB and the executing agency, progress 
payments will be made according to the payment schedule specified in the contract.

The technological support and digital inclusion specialist should be able to (i) design and carry out 
research, analysis, and policy development activities for all the respective technical reports; (ii) 
coordinate the review of findings for all four technical reports with other specialists; and (iii) 
consolidate a comprehensive technical report on policy framework that includes policy recommendations, 
strategies, cost estimates, and action plans on the selected aging-related issues with a concise 
executive summary. In coordination with other specialists in the team, s/he should be able to design and 
oversee the preparation of the capacity development and knowledge sharing plan (CDKSP), inclusive of 
methodology for assessment of output indicator 2a. In close coordination with the executing agency 
staff, s/he shall lead the review, finalization, and approval of the CDKSP at the inception workshop. 
S/he shall design, plan, and analyze the system and services, key challenges, necessary investment in 
the development of respective technological infrastructure, human resources, and other aspects of 
technological support and digital inclusion (TSDI) of older people. S/he will draft a technical report 
that will comprise the (i) assessment of findings highlighting key challenges; (ii) comparative analysis 
with international best practices; (iii) policy recommendations, tools, and strategies for improving the 
TSDI of older people; and (iv) in coordination with the economists, prepare the economic and financial 
estimates for the government investment program, including a set of measures for submission to ADB and 
the executing agency. S/he will also organize workshops, trainings, seminars, and knowledge product 
presentations to government staff, policymakers, civil society organizations, and other stakeholders. 
S/he shall deliver sessions with appropriate presentation materials.

The technological support and digital inclusion specialist will have 10 years of professional experience 
and background in TSDI of older people. S/he must be knowledgeable on the current practices in TSDI of 
older people and the government policies both at the central and local levels in the PRC.