ETTBL商务英语翻译考试
词汇系列 | 银发经济：“白发”变“金发”
银发经济
1. What is Silver Economy?
The silver economy refers to the economic activities focused on meeting the needs of the aging population, including goods and services tailored for seniors, as well as industries preparing for the demographic shift toward an older society. It encompasses healthcare, leisure, finance, technology, and more2413.
银发经济是为满足老年人需求而衍生的经济业态，涵盖养老、健康、旅游、科技等领域，同时包括为老龄化社会提前布局的产业。例如，适老化智能家居、老年旅游保险、养老金融等510。
Fun Fact: The term originated in 1970s Japan with "silver seats" on trains for the elderly, evolving into a global concept like "gray-hair economy" or "longevity economy".
“银发经济”一词最早源于20世纪70年代的日本，最初是指为老年人提供的商品和服务。当时，日本铁路部门为老年人专设了“银发座位”（silver seat），这一举措逐渐衍生出“银发消费”“银发市场”和“银发产业”等概念。随后，这一概念在全球范围内逐渐推广，并演化为“gray-hair economy”（灰发经济）或“longevity economy”（长寿经济）等类似表述。
2. Why is Silver Economy Exploding in 2024?
Context 背景:
China’s 60+ population reached 280 million in 2022 (19.8% of total), projected to hit 1/3 of the population by 2050. This demographic shift is reshaping consumption patterns and driving policy innovation. In 2024, the State Council issued its first-ever policy document targeting the silver economy, aiming to turn aging into a growth engine.
2024年，中国60岁以上人口近3亿，老龄化加速催生万亿级市场。国务院发布首个银发经济专项文件《关于发展银发经济增进老年人福祉的意见》，提出26项举措，目标到2035年市场规模达30万亿元。
Key Drivers 关键驱动力:
Policy Push: Over 20 national policies since 2013, including elderly care market liberalization and smart health initiatives.
政策推动：自2013年以来，国家层面出台了超过20项政策，涵盖养老服务市场开放、智慧健康养老等多领域。这些政策旨在推动养老服务的多元化发展，如建设高水平银发经济产业园区、发展智慧养老新业态等。
Demand Shift: Seniors now seek quality over basics—think luxury senior resorts, tailored travel, and tech-driven healthcare.
需求转变：老年人的需求从基本生存型向品质型转变，对高品质养老服务的需求日益增长。例如，豪华养老社区、定制化旅游、智能健康设备等新兴需求快速增长。
3. Key Sectors & Innovations
Highlights 热点领域:
Smart Health & Elderly Care: Voice-activated devices, care robots, and remote health monitoring are revolutionizing daily life for seniors.
智慧康养: 护理机器人、智能穿戴设备帮助老人独立生活，例如跌倒预警鞋、远程医疗系统。
Senior Tourism: "Nostalgia tours" and intergenerational family trips are booming. China plans to build nationwide senior-friendly travel platforms.
旅居养老: 海南三亚康养中心一房难求，政策鼓励开发“怀旧游”“青春游”主题产品。
Financial Services: Pension insurance and anti-fraud fintech tools are critical as scams targeting seniors surge.
金融服务：随着针对老年人的诈骗行为增加，养老金保险和反欺诈金融科技工具变得至关重要。
Age-Tech: Driverless cars, wearable health trackers, and AI-powered home modifications (e.g., smart toilets) are redefining aging in place.
年龄科技（Age-Tech）：无人驾驶汽车、可穿戴健康追踪器以及AI驱动的家庭改造（例如智能马桶）等技术正在重新定义居家养老。
4. Challenges & Solutions English Challenges 挑战与对策:
Supply-Demand Mismatch: Only 2,000 senior-specific products are available in China vs. 40,000 in Japan.
供给短板: 老年用品仅占全球种类的3%，需培育银发经济产业园和龙头企业。
Fraud Risks: 97% of elderly fraud victims suffer financial losses, per Tencent data.
反诈行动: 民政部严打“以房养老”骗局，推广“家政信用查”APP保障服务安全。
Talent Shortage: China needs 5 million caregivers but has only 3 million.
人才培育: 商务部实施“家政兴农”计划，培训养老护理员，填补2000万岗位缺口。
5. Future Trends: "Old is Gold"
Predictions 趋势展望:
Tech-Driven Markets: By 2035, smart elderly care could contribute 50% of urban consumption growth in developed economies.
消费升级: 从生存型转向发展型，老年大学、冰球运动等“诗和远方”需求激增。
Cross-Generational Design: Universal products (e.g., easy-grip utensils) will bridge age gaps, enhancing social inclusion.
产业融合: 银发经济与医疗、文旅、金融跨界联动，如康养旅游、抗衰老产业。
Global Collaboration: China’s free-trade zones will showcase silver economy innovations, like Japan’s elderly-friendly robotics.
国际标杆: 借鉴日本“超老龄社会”经验，打造银发经济高水平产业园。
Conclusion 总结:
The silver economy isn’t just about aging—it’s a $7 trillion opportunity (6% of China’s GDP) that blends compassion with innovation. From AI grandmas to luxury retirement villas, 2024 marks the year China turns gray into gold.
“银发经济”不仅仅关乎老龄化，它是一个规模达7万亿元人民币（约合9740亿美元）的市场机遇，占中国GDP的6%。这一领域融合了关爱与创新，从“AI奶奶”到豪华养老别墅，2024年标志着中国将“银发”转化为“黄金”的开始。
互动提问: 你家中的长辈最需要哪种银发经济服务？智能健康监测？还是老年旅游？留言分享你的看法！
编辑 | ETTBL商务英语翻译
翻译｜Romola
来源｜中国网、人民网、MBA智库百科等
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