Spatial differentiation and driving factors of the high-quality development of undertakings for the aged of China

Background: Promoting the high-quality development (HQD) of undertakings for the aged is an important action to proactively respond to the rapid population aging in China. This study analyzes spatial differentiation and driving factors of the HQD of China’s undertakings for the aged. Methods: Based on a quantitative indicator system consisting of financial security, elder care services, health care service and older adults’ social participation, the HQD levels of 31 Chinese provincial administrative regions during 2013-2019 are measured by using the entropy weight method. Spatial panel regression models are used to analyze the impact of population aging, economic development and digital technology on the HQD of undertakings for the aged. Results: The comprehensive level of the HQD slightly increases from 0.209 in 2013 to 0.222 in 2019, and the overall level is low. The HQD of the eastern region is the highest (0.293), followed by the western region (0.212), and the central region is the lowest (0.153). The high-high clustering type is mainly distributed in the eastern region; the low-low clustering type is mainly distributed in the western and central regions. Economic development and digital technology have significant positive effects while population aging has significant negative effects on the HQD of undertakings for the aged. Conclusion: There is a significantly spatial differentiation in the HQD of China’s undertakings for the aged. In order to promote the HQD of undertakings for the aged, it is necessary to identify development gaps through making HQD evaluation and to focus on the indicators that are critical in maintaining sustainable economic development and to develop digital technology in order to get rid of those gaps.