By constructing the index of " elderly care dependency ratio" from a macro perspective, this paper examines the relation between supply and demand of Chinese elderly care resource and its trends,and discusses the characteristics of Chinese elderly care burden based on international comparisons.While the burden of caring for elderly is still in a very mild stage,there are significant differences in the levels and patterns of elderly care dependency among China’s provinces and between urban and rural areas.Looking into the future,the burden of caring for the elderly in China will continue to in- crease,stepping into a heavy-burden stage in the 2030s and a super heavy-burden stage in the 2040s. Therefore,institutional arrangements in a long-term perspective are needed in coping with an ageing society.