A national survey published on Friday shows there are now an estimated 82.96 million disabled people in China which is an increase of 31 million from 1987. 

The dramatic rise reflects the significant increase in China's aging population.

"The proportion of the population aged 60 years and over grew to 11 percent in 2005 from 8.5 percent in 1987. Disabled people now account for 6.34 percent of China's 1.3 billion people," said a statement from the organizers of the second China National Sample Survey on Disability. 

In 1987 elderly people accounted for less than 5 percent of the population. 

Of the total number of disabled people 44.16 million are aged over 60. This is an increase of 23.65 million on the first survey of 1987. Seniors account for three quarters of the increase in the number of China's disabled, according to the survey.

"Due to cerebrovascular diseases, arthropathy, dementia and other senile diseases disability is higher among elderly people," the statement said. 

But the growth of the aging population is not the whole story behind the explosion in the numbers. Disability classifications have been revised with the criteria brought into line with the latest international standards and other social and environmental factors taken into account, the statement explained. 

The survey was conducted in all 31 provinces, autonomous regions and municipalities on the Chinese mainland by 16 government organizations including the National Statistics Bureau, the Ministry of Civil Affairs, the Ministry of Health and the China Disabled Persons' Federation from April 1 to May 31, 2006.

(Xinhua News Agency December 1, 2006)