Why are there hardly any Chinese elderly in Spain? ‘El Chico Mercadona’ explains it

The Chinese community has grown considerably in Spain, occupying a prominent place in small businesses such as restaurants, shops and grocery stores. However, something curious that many observe is the low presence of older people of Chinese origin in the country, a phenomenon that has raised questions and theories.

On TikTok, the user @jiajunyin3known as ‘El Chico Mercadona’, addresses this topic in one of his videos. He explains that a large majority of older Chinese choose return to China to spend his last years and be buried in their native country.

This decision, deeply rooted in the most traditional generationsresponds to a wish die in your homelanda common custom in the older generations of this community. It is common for these emigrants to have their tombstones and cemeteries prepared in Chinareflecting his connection to his roots and desire to honor family traditions.

Generational change: the Spanishization of the youngest Chinese

This phenomenon is beginning to change among the younger generations. According to the tiktokerChinese who have grown up or lived most of their lives in Spain have developed a strong sense of belonging towards the country and show less attachment to traditional customs to return to China in old age.

It is likely that, in the future, more elderly people of Chinese origin will be seen in Spain, as new generations feel more inclined to spend his last years in the country where they have developed their lives and to be buried here.

This process is already visible in other European countries, such as Francewhere the Chinese community is older and it is common to see tombstones of people of Chinese origin in local cemeteries. As time passes, the new generations They are adapting to this idea, which contributes to a significant cultural change.