Urban Chinese earn more in first half-year
( 2002-07-31 09:55 ) (8 )

The average disposable income and expenditure of urban residents in China increased by a big margin in the first half this year, the National Bureau of Statistics ( NBS) said Tuesday.

A NBS survey of 45,000 urban households around the country showed that the monthly income per capita in urban areas jumped 17. 5 percent year-on-year in the first half-year to 657 yuan (US$79), while their monthly spending grew 13.3 percent to 494 yuan (US$60).

The NBS attributed the income increase to pay rises for government employees and retirees, and the implementation of social security measures that ensured a growth in pensions and housing allowances, among others.

According to statistics, the urban residents' spending on transport and communications increased by 24.3 percent and that on health care, entertainment, education and services rose by 21 percent.

However, their intention to buy declined. NBS figures showed urban dwellers' intention to buy stood at 73 percent in the first half-year, 1.3 percentage points lower than a year earlier.