Abstract: Drawing upon data from 2000, 2010 and 2020 population censuses, this study examines trends and patterns of the empty-nest elderly households in China. The level of empty-nest elderly households has been increasing both in urban and rural areas over the last 20 years, and has increased in all China's provinces over the past decade. In 2020, empty-nest elderly population is estimated approximately to be 0.15 billion, of which 7.7 million are the oldest old living alone. The oldest old and female elderly are more likely to live alone. Nearly 70% of the living-alone elderly are widowed, and nearly 10% are still unmarried. Empty-nest elderly live mainly on family support, social security, and labor income. Their health conditions are generally good, but a small proportion are disabled. Few living-alone elderly have caregivers to provide care for them, and even for those disabled only 19.86% receive such care. Policy implications are discussed.

Keywords: The 7th Population Census, Empty-nest Elderly Families, Empty-nest Elderly

摘要： 第七次全国人口普查首次增加了老年人居住状况项目，有助于直接精准地识别空巢老人。根据2000、2010和2020年全国人口普查数据，考察中国老年家庭空巢化态势和空巢老人基本特征，结果发现，近20年城乡老年家庭空巢化水平不断提高；近10年各省老年家庭空巢化水平均有所提升；2020年空巢老人规模近1.5亿，高龄独居空巢老人达772万人；高龄、女性老年人面临更加严峻的独居空巢形势；独居空巢老人近七成处于丧偶状态，近一成仍未婚；空巢老人生活来源主要为家庭赡养、社会保障和劳动收入；空巢老人的健康状况整体良好，但仍有小部分生活不能自理；独居空巢老人中接受保姆照料的比例较低，即使失能也仅不到两成接受保姆照料。应加快建立健全多层次、全方位的老年空巢尤其是高龄空巢问题应对政策体系和制度框架。

关键词: 第七次全国人口普查, 老年家庭空巢化, 空巢老人