A growing 'loneliness industry' has emerged in China, providing paid companionship and support services to individuals experiencing isolation. This sector was valued at approximately $7.4 billion in 2025 by securities company Sinolink, with expectations for continued growth.
The rise in loneliness is linked to societal changes, including rural migrants leaving support networks for urban centres and graduates relocating for work, according to Associate Professor Teresa Kuan from the Chinese University of Hong Kong.
Services offered by this industry vary, from daily visits providing hot meals and practical assistance for elderly residents, like those offered by Wang Yingwei's team in Beijing, to medical escorts for younger professionals. Liu Yanyan, a 23-year-old medical escort, assists clients in their 20s who may not have friends in Beijing or feel awkward asking colleagues for help due to cultural norms around social reciprocity.
Other services include emotional support during activities such as hiking. Wang Zhoutao, a former soldier, leads hiking trips up Huangshan mountain, providing encouragement and companionship to clients facing personal or professional pressures.
Clients, such as 91-year-old Yang, who lives on the outskirts of Beijing, have reported significant improvements in their lives due to these services. Yang, who previously considered voluntary euthanasia due to loneliness after her husband's death, now receives twice-daily visits from Wang Yingwei's team.