The Chinese government calls women who are older than 26 to be "leftover women".
Older than 26 means 27+
In the United States, women who are 27-29 are still chased heavily. Women 27-29 field a fair amount of in-person approaches and don't need to resort to the apps yet. A 28 year old woman in the United States will get more interest if she uses apps than if she doesn't, but there are no shortage of men looking to commit to 27-29 year old woman in the United States.
When a woman reaches 30 in the United States, there are still enough beta suitors for her out there. She might not be able to get commitment from the men she wants at 32 compared to when she was 22, but she's getting lots of dates. She is likely using a swipe app and fielding offers on her Twitter and Instagram DMs as well.
In the United States, women do not reach leftover status until 35-40, a full decade later than when China considers a woman to be a leftover woman. In the United States, plenty of 35-45 year old women are being chased by thirsty betas. Most single men in their 30s/40s in the United States are pusssy beggars who end up taking whatever woman close to their age will accept them.
I agree with you, it works the same in most of Europe.
What we should consider is the minimum threeshold for decent men to commit to a woman.
I have no problem hitting on girls in their late 20s/early 30s, actually they are my top target right now but would I commit to them? probably not if I was looking for a long term relationship.
I believe the differential is being wanted for sex vs being capable of getting GENUINE commitment, any doable girl as long as she is in decent shape, not that old and her personality is bearable can get a decent man short term.
It takes however a decent woman to get a decent man to commit and even more it takes a top 20% in the women pool to secure willing commitment from a decent man.
Commitment doesnt come equal, a man may commit cause that woman pass the minimum requirement in terms of looks, age and personality but he is not exactly on fire about it...which would instead be the case for a guy in his late 20s that meets a pretty girl in her early 20s who happens to be attractive, low mileage, mentally sane and shares his value.
I wouldnt compare old women with simps, I would compare old women to unemployed average looks low status men.
A 40yrs old woman is to a 40 yrs old man what an average looks guy on welfare is to a girl his age.