Think Tank

Understanding the market potential of the 'companion economy'

2025-09-22   

The value of the "companion economy" lies in using market logic to make up for the gap in living needs caused by family structure and social changes. Recently, due to my limited mobility, I arranged for a companion clinic. Helping to wait for calls and reminders to go to the clinic is very worry free; Invoices, reimbursements, and other matters are clearly explained; I am well aware of where the self-service machines on each floor are less crowded. Professional companionship services greatly enhance the patient's medical experience. Nowadays, various types of accompanying services such as consultation, care, city photography, decoration and running are becoming increasingly common. These services are provided in a market-oriented and socialized manner, making it direct and efficient to obtain companionship, avoiding the psychological burden of "owing favors", and better meeting diverse and personalized needs. The rise of the "companion economy" has profound social roots. On the one hand, in the era of mobility, the situation of "one north, one south" and "one city, one township" with family and friends is becoming increasingly common, and some scenes that require companionship urgently require new socialization solutions. On the other hand, the new generation of consumers pay more attention to listening to their inner voice, pursuing emotional satisfaction, and are more willing to pay for customized and professional companionship experiences. The value of the 'companion economy' lies in using market logic to compensate for the gap in living needs caused by family structure and social changes. Companionship requires not only time, but also dedication and responsibility. At present, the "companion economy" is still in a spontaneous state, and the service level relies more on personal qualities, almost "opening a blind box". While implementing prudent supervision, we must vigorously promote standardized construction to 'accompany the economy' in order to take steady steps and win a longer-term future. At the beginning of development, strengthening standardization construction may slow down the pace of market development in the short term, but in the long run, it is an essential first move. Some institutions are already exploring the refinement of service standards and process specifications. For example, the China Association of Social Welfare and Elderly Care Services, together with 22 units including service platforms, has released the "Elderly Companion Service Standards", which stipulate service processes, safety rules, complaint mechanisms, etc; Some elderly care service institutions are also exploring the establishment of full process service standards for accompanying consultations, some of which track and evaluate services in real time through digital platforms. Being impatient and unable to eat hot tofu, we must focus on improving the quality of supply, building a good service ecosystem, and "accompanying the economy" in order to achieve sustainable and healthy development. It should also be noted that companionship is an interaction between people, requiring stable and warm support. Providing companionship services should not be mechanically executed, but should be based on sincere empathy and positive attention, integrating humanistic care into the service process. A companion physician with 10 years of experience said that he always has tissues in his bag for emergencies, and "service details are as important as medical processes". At the same time, it is necessary to maintain reasonable boundaries and distances, build safety and privacy "barriers", so as to better meet emotional value, establish a good reputation, and tap into market potential. With the acceleration of family size reduction and population aging, the "companion economy" will play a more important role. Obtaining necessary help when encountering inconvenience, finding like-minded people when developing hobbies, and seeking social connections when feeling lonely - these broad emotional and life needs are precisely the potential of this new business model. According to an institution's prediction, the market size of China's "companion economy" will reach 50 billion yuan by 2025. In addition to basic public services, more and more people have the ability and willingness to purchase immediate, professional, and standardized social services. This is not only a positive attitude towards responding to changes, but also an inevitable result of the market economy. The rise of the "companion economy" reflects people's higher pursuit of quality of life and also highlights the tremendous vitality of social services adapting quickly to new changes. Based on practical needs, we must adhere to investing in people, strengthen technological empowerment, fully leverage market forces, better play the role of the government, weave the warm "bond" of society in new ways, and achieve the arrival of hearts in a more efficient way, warming up every ordinary day. (New Society)

Edit:Luo yu Responsible editor:Wang er dong

Source:people.cn

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