Bridging the gap: coordinating equity and efficiency in older people care resource allocation in China

With the increasing global aging population, how to allocate older people care resources reasonably has become an increasingly urgent international issue. China, as the largest developing country, has made many efforts to actively respond to the challenges of an aging population. However, there are still problems with uneven allocation of older people care resources and low efficiency of allocation. Therefore, this study evaluates the regional differences and dynamic evolution of the equity and efficiency of older people care resource allocation in China from 2009 to 2020, and explores ways to change the current situation.

The data used in this study were derived from the “China Statistical Yearbook” and the “China Civil Affairs Statistical Yearbook” for the period of 2010–2021. Firstly, the equity of older people care resource allocation was measured using the Gini coefficient, the Theil index, the Older People Care Resource Density Index, and the Older People Care Resource Agglomeration Degree. Secondly, the dynamic Slack-Based Measure data envelopment analysis method was adopted to evaluate efficiency. Lastly, the Z-score is used to normalize the equity index and perform classification matching with the efficiency value. Spatial autocorrelation analysis and hotspot analysis were conducted using GIS technology to examine the dynamic evolution process of older people care resource allocation equity and efficiency, as well as their spatial distribution patterns and coordination across provinces from 2009 to 2020.

The equity analysis showed that the spatial distribution of various types of older people care resources was uneven, and the differences were mainly due to internal differences within each region, with the largest equity differences observed in western provinces. Currently, older people care resources are mainly concentrated in eastern regions, while the total amount of older people care resources in western regions and some central regions is relatively small, which cannot meet the older people care needs of residents. The efficiency analysis results showed that the efficiency of older people care resource allocation has been improving over the past 12 years, and in 2020, 77.42% of provinces were located on the efficiency frontier with an average efficiency value of 0.9396. Finally, the coordination analysis results showed that there were significant spatiotemporal differences in the equity and efficiency of older people care resources allocation.

With the development of society and economy, the total amount and service capacity of older people care resources in China have greatly improved. However, there are still significant spatiotemporal differences in the equity and efficiency of older people care resource allocation. The development of older people care services in central and eastern provinces is unbalanced, and there is a polarization trend in terms of equity and efficiency of older people care resource allocation. Most provinces in western regions face the dual dilemma of inadequate older people care resources and low utilization efficiency. It is recommended that policymakers comprehensively consider population and geographic factors in different provinces, establish relevant allocation standards according to local conditions, improve the redistribution system, and focus on increasing the total amount of older people care resources in underdeveloped provinces while promoting resource flow.