(ECNS) -- Zhejiang Province, Beijing and Shanghai lead the nation in a ranking of happiness among the aged, Beijing Morning News reported.
The China Philanthropy Research Institute at Beijing Normal University and another company jointly released a study called "Policy Progress Index of Chinese Aged People" that evaluated trends across 31 provincial regions.
It included social services availability for senior residents, benefits and healthcare in those regions.
The capital led rankings due to a series of measures including its monthly 100 yuan ($15) subsidy to seriously disabled citizens between 60 and 79 years old and seniors over 80.
The most vulnerable population in Beijing's rural areas, known as Households Enjoying Five Guarantees, also receive higher monthly financial support.
Regions where aged people also enjoy better conditions also include Shandong, Jiangsu, Guizhou, Fujian, Shaanxi, Gansu and Shanxi provinces.
The study also found people in eastern areas enjoy better support than those in the west, and that the quality of services is catching up in economic developed regions.
Significant progress has been recorded in the number of beds at nursing centers, usually measured by those for every 1,000 senior citizens, and financial support for the elderly.
The report predicts government policies would be further improved to provide more social security support for the aged, social insurance and other benefits. For example, the minimum subsistence allowance for urban residents and basic pension for retirees will increase year by year, the report stated.
