Equity of Elderly Care Facility Allocation in a Multi-Ethnic City under the Aging Background

Abstract

Societal concerns in ethnic minority areas are global issues. Paying close attention to the equitable allocation of social resources in an aging population is crucial to preserving the cultural diversity and social stability of multi-ethnic countries. This study took a multi-ethnic city—Kunming (KM), China—as an example. The population aging and the comprehensive service level of elderly care institutions at the township (subdistrict) scale were evaluated to discuss the equity of elderly care facility allocation. This study revealed that the overall convenience of elderly care institutions was low. The coupling coordination between the degree of aging and the service level of elderly care institutions in the majority of areas in KM showed poor adaptation. There is spatial differentiation in population aging and an imbalanced distribution of elderly care facilities and relevant service facilities among ethnic minority communities and other areas in KM. We also attempted to provide optimization recommendations for existing problems. This study, on the degree of population aging, the service level of elderly care institutions, and the degree of coupling coordination between them at the township (subdistrict) scale, offers a theoretical foundation for planning elderly care facilities in multi-ethnic cities.