Restructuring Welfare between 2000 and 2015 – Scandinavian and Chinese Pension and Poverty Policies Compared

Emerging in widely different historical and cultural contexts, both Chinese and Scandinavian welfare systems face common challenges related to social fragmentation, growing inequality, rapidly changing demographics, globalization and urbanization. Through a systematic comparison of developments between 2000 and 2015 within two important welfare schemes, namely pensions and anti-poverty measures in Scandinavia and China across four dimensions – universalism, generosity, employment, and public financing – this article aims to identify trends and developments. We conclude that reforms during the beginning of the twenty-first century points to both similarities and differences in development, and that given common challenges there is a need for further reforms to secure the sustainability of the welfare systems. All four countries must strive for a good balance between efficiency and equality.