China's population of people aged 60 or above had hit 185 million by the end of 2011, or 13.7 percent of the nation's total population, according to official figures released on March 1.

The number is 4 percent higher than in 2010, when it stood at 177.6 million.

It is predicted that, by the end of 2015, the elderly population will have increased by 43 million, taking the total number of over-60s to 221 million, said Li Liguo, Minister of Civil Affairs.

At that time, China will have 24 million people aged 80 or above, and more than 51 million people aged 65 or above will be empty- nesters, without children living at home to support them, according to Li.