Based on the Chinese Longitudinal Healthy Longevity Study (CLHLS 2002~2011),this study assesses the age trajectories of the loss of independence in daily living for five cohorts aged 65~69,70~79,80~89,90~99 and 100+ at the 2002 survey,respectively,both at the individual and the population level.Results show that the decline of independence at the population level is more gradual than that at the individual level.A decomposition analysis further reveals that the difference in the pace of decline of independence can be largely attributed to selective mortality and loss to follow up.Moreover,such difference varies across cohorts.For the population as a whole,a longer life expectancy does not necessarily result in a rapid decline of independence.For individuals, however, prolonging lifespan tend to be accompanied with deterioration of independence except for the young old.