OBJECTIVES: Due to a rapidly aging population, age-related diseases, such as Alzheimer’s disease (AD), are becoming a great concern in China. The objective of this study was to provide an overview of the future socio-economic issues raised by the increasing prevalence of AD in China.  METHODS: A literature review was done to collect information on the disease management, the demographic projections, and medical capabilities available in China. To answer the questions that emerged from the literature review, five clinical experts and two hospital administrative payers were interviewed. RESULTS: It was estimated that there were 10 million cases of AD in China in 2010. As a typical aging disease, the burden of AD in China is substantial and will continue growing as the elderly population grows. Around 33% of the Chinese population is expected to be older than 60 in 2050, representing 438 million people. A large imbalance was found between AD management needs and availability of health care services for AD patients, as a result of: 1> Chinese culture values family care for the elderly, while the single-child policy resulting in 4 grand-parents and 2 parents being cared for by one child, 2> extremely poor awareness of AD in China both publicly and privately (assimilated as dementia), and 3> limited medical capabilities for AD. As a result, it is predicted that working-age Chinese population will have to take time to provide informal care for the elderly, leading to an important impact on the productivity. CONCLUSIONS: Results suggest China is an emerging market for AD treatments. There is a large imbalance between AD management needs and capabilities to provide it in China.