The latest 2024 pension price list for farmers in 31 provinces of China has just been released, showing a significant disparity between different provinces, with the lowest being only 103 yuan (RMB). This topic has once again sparked attention.
The latest standard for basic old-age pensions for residents in 31 provinces of China in 2024 was recently announced. According to the “2024 Farmer Pension Price List” released by WoBaoNet on June 27, Yunnan province only receives 103 yuan per month, and overall, there are 6 provinces receiving less than 120 yuan. In contrast, retirees from government institutions receive an average monthly pension of over 6000 yuan, which is 30 times greater than that of farmers.
The issue of low farmers’ pensions has always been a concern in China. According to China’s “Financial Chronicle”, under the current system of pension payments, in some provinces, the pensions are already insufficient, relying on subsidies from other provinces. Guangdong has the most pension funds in China, but its per capita pension is not the highest because a large share of the funds is distributed to other provinces.
By 2024, the first group of farmers participating in the pension insurance scheme will have reached the minimum 15 years of contribution required to be eligible for retirement. There have been voices in China opposing an increase in farmers’ pensions. However, “Financial Chronicle” believes that farmers have been contributing to the country’s food security by paying into the system for decades. Moreover, tens of thousands of migrant farmers working in cities have made significant contributions to urban development and construction.
A user with the ID 5687775 on Tencent expressed, “I am 59 years old this year, our generation has all contributed to the system, doing voluntary and accumulation work. We, as farmers, have not received salaries from the country, only exchanged work for it. Do urban residents have to do voluntary and accumulation work? For the sake of urban residents’ lives, we have even undertaken the ‘pig task’, where every household must raise a pig every year to exchange for money at the food station. When we are suffering, we will confront the authorities.”
Another netizen, “Hua Xia Nong Min,” commented, “Back then, farmers paid a lot for public grain and water fees. During the New Year, if we didn’t have money, we still had to pay off the debts, and there were countless volunteer works every year. Now that the country is wealthy, the grassroots farmers have also contributed. Don’t forget about the farmers; please treat them well and don’t only remember them when the country is in difficulty or at war.”
The issue of low farmers’ pensions has led to heated discussions among netizens.
A user named “Piao” lamented, “It’s not just a bit low, it’s exceptionally low.”
User fsaech7 from Tencent shared, “Even giving farmers 500 yuan per month would suffice, at least taking care of their basic needs.”
User 3x9br0 on Tencent mentioned, “A few days ago, I watched a journalist’s investigation that took several years to look into remote villages in the central and western regions. It revealed that once elderly farmers lose their ability to work or cannot afford medical treatment, suicide incidents frequently occur, with many cases of couples committing suicide together. This is no longer an isolated case in the area; it’s tragic when such incidents become commonplace.”
A netizen named “Red Gem” pointed out that not only are farmers’ pensions insufficient, but also some elderly people in cities are struggling: “We should pay attention to elderly people in towns who don’t have jobs; they have no land, didn’t work or contribute to social security in the past and now only receive 140 yuan. How can they survive in towns with this amount? They have to certify their status every month for this small amount of money. Go to the communities and see, there are many elderly people aged 70-80 going for certifications. They are the ones who are the most miserable. I hope more people will care about these individuals; they are even more unfortunate than elderly people in rural areas!”