The Chinese Government has issued a five-year plan to boost social services for the elderly.

By 2015, the country expects to provide 30 beds in nursing homes and community care centers for every 1,000 elderly people.

China has a total of 178 million people aged above 60, accounting for 13.26 percent of the total population. That figure is expected to rise to 221 million in 2015 and 243 million in 2020.

In 2010, the number of beds in nursing homes and community care centers for the aged totaled 3.2 million across China, or 18 beds for every 1,000 elderly people.

To meet the 2015 target the country plans to add 3.4 million beds and renovate 30 percent of the current facilities.

Over the next five years, at least 50 percent of the revenue from the state welfare lottery program will be spent on social services for the elderly.

According to the plan, the government will provide preferential land use policies and credit to attract more investment in the sector.