Young Chinese trade volunteer work for cheap nursing home living
A growing number of young people in China are choosing to live in nursing homes in exchange for volunteer work. This trend comes as the country faces an ageing population and underused care facilities. The idea has even sparked discussions among local policymakers, with Shanghai considering a formal pilot scheme. Lin Xiaoyu, a 26-year-old robotics professional, now lives in a nursing home in Foshan, Guangdong Province. In return for 30 hours of monthly volunteer service, she pays just 1,000 yuan ($147) per month for accommodation. Her experience reflects a wider shift among young Chinese looking for affordable housing while contributing to their communities.
The concept has gained traction online, with 'moving into a nursing home' becoming a trending lifestyle topic. Data shows that 86 percent of young participants in similar projects report an 'enhanced sense of social responsibility'. Meanwhile, many care facilities struggle with low occupancy—national rates in 2024 sat below 50 percent, with some regions exceeding 60 percent vacancies. Other cities have adopted their own versions of the model. In Lishui, Zhejiang, nursing homes offer rooms to people aged 18 to 45 for the same low rent of 1,000 yuan per month. Several cities in Jiangsu Province also run programmes where young residents provide at least 20 hours of volunteer service each month in exchange for housing. The idea has reached policy discussions too. A member of the Standing Committee of the CPPCC Shanghai Committee recently proposed piloting an 'intergenerational co-living' model in the city’s nursing institutions. The move aims to address both housing shortages for young people and underused care facilities for the elderly.
China’s population aged 60 and above surpassed 320 million by the end of 2025. With many nursing homes operating well below capacity, these co-living schemes offer a practical solution. For young participants, the arrangement provides affordable housing while helping to fill gaps in elderly care.
