Hong Kong CNN —For decades, Chinese workers have wrapped up their working lives at relatively young ages: 60 for men and as early as 50 for women. The announcement sparked immediate widespread discussion – and backlash – across Chinese social media. Some social media users appeared encouraged that the changes weren’t more drastic and included some flexibility. Major protests erupted in France in 2023 in response to a government attempt to raise the retirement age from 62 to 64. Even for those of working age, employment remains a steep challenge following the pandemic and a raft of government-led industry crackdowns in recent years.

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Persons: ”, Yuan Xin, Yuan, Demographers, It’s Organizations: Hong Kong CNN, Xinhua, Communist Party, Weibo, China Population Association, Nankai University, for Economic Co, Development, Social, Communist, Ministry of Civil Affairs, Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, Employers Locations: Hong Kong, Beijing, China, Tianjin, France, Communist China