BackgroundPromoting the high-quality development (HQD) of undertakings for the aged is an important action to proactively respond to the rapid population aging in China. This study analyzes spatial differentiation and driving factors of the HQD of China’s undertakings for the aged.MethodsBased on a quantitative indicator system consisting of old-age social security, elder care services, health care service and older adults’ social participation, the HQD levels of 31 Chinese provincial administrative regions during 2013–2019 are measured by using the entropy weight method. Spatial panel regression models are used to analyze the impact of population aging, economic development and digital technology on the HQD of undertakings for the aged.ResultsThe comprehensive level of the HQD slightly increased from 0.212 to 2013 to 0.220 in 2019, and the overall level was low. The HQD of the eastern region was the highest (0.292), followed by the western region (0.215), and the central region was the lowest (0.151). The high-high cluster type was mainly distributed in the eastern region; the low-low cluster type was mainly distributed in the western and central regions. Economic development and digital technology have significant positive effects while population aging has significant negative effects on the HQD of undertakings for the aged.ConclusionThere is a significantly spatial differentiation in the HQD of China’s undertakings for the aged. In order to promote the HQD of undertakings for the aged, it is necessary to identify development gaps through making HQD evaluation and to focus on the indicators that are critical in maintaining sustainable economic development and to develop digital technology in order to get rid of those gaps.Supplementary InformationThe online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12939-023-01921-7.