In brief
In Chinese urban centres, despite dense crowds, many residents feel isolated. A new wave of companion services, known as the “loneliness economy”, offers paid companionship to the elderly. The BBC’s China correspondent visits a company that trains “temporary children” to provide company and basic care. The arrangement reflects a broader trend of commercializing emotional support amid an ageing population and social shift.
In the bustling streets of Shanghai, Guangzhou, and Shenzhen, a paradox grows: crowds cannot erase the quiet isolation that many residents feel.
This loneliness is shaping a nascent industry that the media has dubbed the “loneliness economy”. Parents, grandmothers, and retired workers are turning to paid companions—sometimes called “temporary children”—to share meals, walk in parks, or simply talk for an hour a day. The service is not counselling; it is companionship, in the simplest sense.
The Company that has become the face of this trend is a Shanghai‑based startup that trains volunteers in social cues and basic caregiving. The training includes listening, maintaining eye contact, and judging when a client needs a break. Once approved, a companion is assigned to a target client and can be contacted through an app, much like a ride‑hailing service.
“The idea is that people who feel visited and heard will start to be more comfortable in their neighbourhoods,” explains a senior executive of the company. She adds that the arrangement can also reduce the strain on formal nursing homes, which are increasingly oversubscribed.
The practice has sparked debate. Proponents see it as an affordable way for elders to maintain independence, while critics warn it might dilute the quality of care and mask broader societal indifference.
Despite the controversy, the numbers are growing. In 2025, the company reported that it had matched 12,000 companions with 35,000 lonely elders across China. The figures underscore a deeper shift, as young adults, driven by short‑term employment demands, find ways to monetize empathy.
At its core, the loneliness economy reflects a mismatch between a mega‑population and limited social infrastructure. While family bonds blur and extended families spread across cities, the market’s solution—temporary children—offers a reminder that loneliness, no matter how crowded a metropolis, remains a profoundly personal experience.
