Steady Growth in Residents’ Income and Expenditure, and Continuous Improvement in People’s Livelihood

Steady Growth in Residents’ Income and Expenditure, and Continuous Improvement in People’s Livelihood

—Series Report XV on Achievements in Economic and Social Development during the 14th Five-Year Plan Period

National Bureau of Statistics, June 5, 2026

During the 14th Five-Year Plan period, under the strong leadership of the CPC Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping at its core, all localities and government departments thoroughly implemented the people-centered philosophy of development, taking ensuring and improving people’s well-being as the fundamental purpose and goal of their work. They introduced and implemented a series of policies benefiting and enriching the people, resulting in relatively rapid growth in residents’ income, continuous optimization of the income structure, a narrowing income disparity between urban and rural areas and among regions, sustained improvement in residents’ consumption, and steady enhancement in quality of life.

I. Significant Strides in Residents’ Income with Income Structure Continuously Optimized

(I) Steady Growth in Residents’ Income

China’s economic development achieved new leaps, and all localities intensified efforts to implement policies promoting income growth, driving stable growth in residents’ income. In 2025, the nationwide per capita disposable income of residents reached RMB 43,377, a nominal increase ^[1] of 34.8% compared to 2020, with an average annual growth rate of 6.1%. After deducting price factors, the average annual real growth rate from 2021 to 2025 was 5.4%.

(II) Increase in Personal Income in Step with Economic Growth

Adhering to improving people’s well-being through economic development, all localities and government departments made every effort to increase residents’ income, delivered the fruits of development to all the people, and strived to ensure personal incomes rise in step with economic growth. From 2021 to 2025, the national per capita disposable income achieved an average annual real growth rate of 5.4%, on a par with the growth rate of GDP at constant prices during the same period.

(III) Increasingly Diversified Sources of Residents’ Income

Waves of new business forms were given rise, employment channels became more diverse, the social security system was continuously improved, and residents’ income sources were broadened.

Income from wages and salaries played the main engine role in increasing income. All localities pushed forward with the employment-first strategy, increased employment assistance for groups in need, and promoted steady growth in residents’ income from wages and salaries. In 2025, the nationwide per capita income from wages and salaries was RMB 24,555, an increase of 37.0% from 2020, with an average annual growth rate of 6.5%, which was 0.4 percentage points faster than the average annual growth rate of residents’ income. During the 14th Five-Year Plan period, income from wages and salaries contributed 59.3% of residents’ income growth, making it the most important driver for increasing residents’ income.

Net income from operations grew fast, driven by the tertiary industry. The business environment was improving steadily, and market entities became increasingly vital. In particular, residents were in strong demand for holiday travel, tourism, and cultural and entertainment activities in recent years. Following these, industries such as accommodation, catering, and transportation performed well, and the per capita net income from operations in the tertiary industry for residents grew rapidly, driving relatively fast growth in residents’ net income from operations. In 2025, the per capita net income from operations for residents was RMB 7,252, an increase of 36.7% compared to 2020, with an average annual growth rate of 6.4%, which was 0.3 percentage points faster than the average annual growth rate of residents’ income. Its contribution rate to residents’ income growth during the 14th Five-Year Plan period was 17.4%, serving as an important support for increasing residents’ income.

Channels for net property income continued to expand. The well-organized transfer of land management rights, the booming development of rural industries, and the increasing vitality of rural collective economies drove a steady rise in residents’ net property income. In 2025, the per capita net property income of residents was RMB 3,490, an increase of 25.0% compared to 2020, with an average annual growth rate of 4.6%. Its contribution to the increase in residents’ income during the14th Five-Year Plan period was 6.2%.

Net income from transfer maintained stable growth. The social security system continued to improve, with coverage steadily expanding. The basic endowment insurance for urban and rural residents, pensions for retirees, and the minimum subsistence allowance were raised steadily, and various assistance and subsidy policies were effectively implemented, ensuring that the net income from transfer played a stable foundational role. In 2025, the per capita net income from transfer of residents was RMB 8,080, an increase of 30.9% compared to 2020, with an average annual growth rate of 5.5%. Its contribution to the increase in residents’ income during the 14th Five-Year Planperiod was 17.0%.

II. Improved Income Distribution Pattern and Narrowed Income Disparity between Urban and Rural Areas and among Regions

(I) Decline in Income Ratio between Urban and Rural Residents

With achievements in poverty alleviation further consolidated and the rural revitalization strategy implementation making progress, the income of rural residents maintained relatively fast growth during the 14th Five-Year Plan period, with the growth rate consistently higher than that of urban residents. In 2025, the per capita disposable income of rural residents reached RMB 24,456, an increase of 42.8% compared to 2020, with an average annual growth rate of 7.4%. After deducting price factors, the average annual real growth rate was 6.7%. The per capita disposable income of urban residents reached RMB 56,502, an increase of 28.9% compared to 2020, with an average annual growth rate of 5.2%. After deducting price factors, the average annual real growth rate was 4.4%. The average annual nominal and real growth rates of rural residents’ income were 2.2 and 2.3 percentage points faster than those of urban residents, respectively. The income ratio between urban and rural residents (with the income of rural residents as 1) decreased from 2.56 in 2020 to 2.31 in 2025, with a narrowing magnitude exceeding that of the 13th Five-Year Plan period.

(II) Narrowing of Income Disparity among Regions

By region, during the 14th Five-Year Plan period, the increases in personal income in the central and western regions were higher than those in other regions, indicating the further coordination of regional development. In 2025, the per capita disposable income of residents in the eastern, central, western, and northeastern regions was RMB 54,798, RMB 36,850, RMB 34,531, and RMB 36,681, respectively, representing increases of 32.9%, 35.7%, 35.9%, and 29.8% compared to 2020. The average annual growth rates of resident income in the central and western regions were both 6.3%, which were 0.5 and 0.9 percentage points faster than those in the eastern and northeastern regions, respectively. The income ratio between residents in the eastern and western regions (with the income of western region residents as 1) decreased from 1.62 in 2020 to 1.59 in 2025, further narrowing the relative income disparity among regions.

III. Resident Consumption Continuously Enhanced, and Consumption Structure Further Optimized and Upgraded

(I) Steady Rise in Consumption

The consumer market grew steadily, and the establishment of a long-term mechanism for expanding domestic demand and promoting consumption was sped up, leading to the release of residents’ consumption potential and an improvement in consumption. In 2025, the nationwide per capita consumption expenditure of residents was RMB 29,476, an increase of 39.0% compared to 2020, with an average annual growth rate of 6.8%. After deducting price factors, the average annual real growth rate was 6.1%. Specifically, the per capita consumption expenditure of urban residents was RMB 35,869, an increase of 32.8% compared to 2020, with an average annual growth rate of 5.8%. After deducting price factors, the average annual real growth rate was 5.1%. The per capita consumption expenditure of rural residents was RMB 20,259, an increase of 47.7% compared to 2020, with an average annual growth rate of 8.1%. After deducting price factors, the average annual real growth rate was 7.5%. The consumption growth rate of rural residents continued to be faster than that of urban residents, with nominal and real growth rates being 2.3 and 2.4 percentage points faster, respectively.

(II) Decline in Share of Food Consumption

Residents’ dietary structure continued to optimize, and the share of food consumption steadily declined. In 2025, the proportion of food, tobacco, and alcohol expenditure in the nationwide per capita consumption expenditure of residents was 29.3%, a decrease of 0.9 percentage points compared to 2020. Specifically, the proportion of food, tobacco, and alcohol expenditure in the per capita consumption expenditure of urban residents was 28.3%, and that of rural residents was 31.8%, both decreasing by 0.9 percentage points compared to 2020.

With changes in residents’ consumption values and the rapid development of the food delivery industry, residents’ expenditure on food services grew relatively fast. In 2025, the per capita expenditure of residents on food services was RMB 2,355, an increase of RMB 1,189 compared to 2020, representing a growth of 103.7%. The proportion of residents’ expenditure on food services in total expenditure on food, tobacco, and alcohol increased from 17.9% in 2020 to 27.1% in 2025.

(III) Increase in Share of Development-Oriented and Service Consumption

The consumption environment continued to improve, consumption models were continuously innovated, policies to expand domestic demand and promote consumption took effect, and the consumption structure of residents was continuously upgraded. The demand for development-oriented and improvement-oriented consumption expanded, and the growth rate of service consumption consistently outpaced that of goods consumption.

Grouped by consumption patterns, the growth rates of expenditures on transportation and communication, education, culture and entertainment, and healthcare were significantly faster than those on basic consumption such as clothing, food, and housing. In 2025, the nationwide per capita expenditure on transportation and communication was RMB 4,306, an increase of 55.9% compared to 2020, with an average annual growth rate of 9.3%. Its share in per capita consumption expenditure was 14.6%, an increase of 1.6 percentage points compared to 2020. In 2025, the nationwide per capita expenditure on education, culture and entertainment was RMB 3,489, an increase of 71.7% compared to 2020, with an average annual growth rate of 11.4%. Its share in per capita consumption expenditure was 11.8%, an increase of 2.2 percentage points compared to 2020. In 2025, the nationwide per capita expenditure on healthcare was RMB 2,573, an increase of 39.6% compared to 2020, with an average annual growth rate of 6.9%. Its share in per capita consumption expenditure was 8.7%, remaining unchanged from 2020.

In 2025, the nationwide per capita expenditure on service consumption was RMB 13,602, an increase of 50.5% compared to 2020, with an average annual growth rate of 8.5%. Its share in per capita consumption expenditure was 46.1%, an increase of 3.5 percentage points compared to 2020. Specifically, the per capita service consumption expenditure of urban residents was RMB 17,367, an increase of 44.6% compared to 2020, with an average annual growth rate of 7.7%. Its share in per capita consumption expenditure was 48.4%, an increase of 3.9 percentage points compared to 2020. The per capita service consumption expenditure of rural residents was RMB 8,173, an increase of 57.5% compared to 2020, with an average annual growth rate of 9.5%. Its share in per capita consumption expenditure was 40.3%, an increase of 2.5 percentage points compared to 2020.

IV. Significant Improvement in Residents’ Quality of Life and Continuous Enhancement of Public Services

(I) Accelerated Upgrading of Consumer Durables

As living standards rose and consumption-promoting policies like “trade-ins” took full effect, the upgrading of consumer durables for residents accelerated. Household ownership of travel vehicles grew rapidly. In 2025, the nationwide average number of household cars per 100 households was 52.9, an increase of 15.8 compared to 2020; the average number of electric bicycles per 100 households was 83.2, an increase of 16.5 compared to 2020. Household appliance consumption continued to grow on the basis of high ownership rates. In 2025, the nationwide average number of refrigerators per 100 households was 106.6, and washing machines were 100.3, representing increases of 4.8 and 3.6, respectively, compared to 2020. The average numbers of air conditioners, water heaters, and range hoods per 100 households were 161.8, 96.2, and 73.0, respectively, representing increases of 44.1, 5.8, and 12.1 compared to 2020. With the development of network communication technology, residents’ ownership of mobile electronic devices continued to increase. In 2025, the nationwide average number of mobile phones per 100 households was 254.5, an increase of 0.7 compared to 2020.

(II) Continued Improvement in Housing Conditions

Adhering to the people-centered philosophy of development, the Party and the state solidly advanced livelihood projects such as constructing affordable housing and renovating old residential communities, and continuously improved the quality of residents’ housing. Residential infrastructure became more complete. In 2025, 99.0% of households were located in communities (villages) where garbage could be centrally treated, an increase of 2.9 percentage points compared to 2020. Specifically, the proportions in urban and rural areas were 99.4% and 98.2%, respectively, representing increases of 0.5 and 6.1 percentage points compared to 2020. The proportion of households with bathing facilities nationwide was 94.4%, an increase of 8.2 percentage points compared to 2020. Specifically, the proportions in urban and rural areas were 98.2% and 88.5%, respectively, representing increases of 3.8 and 13.6 percentage points compared to 2020. In 2025, the proportion of rural households living in reinforced concrete or brick-concrete structure housing was 85.6%, an increase of 12.5 percentage points compared to 2020.

(III) Continued Improvement in Basic Community Public Services

As urban and rural infrastructure construction improved and social pubic service supply capacity enhanced, the infrastructure in residential communities was significantly improved. Transportation and communication became more convenient. In 2025, 99.6% of households had communities (villages) connected to cable TV signals, an increase of 0.5 percentage points from 2020. The proportions in urban and rural areas were 99.6% and 99.5%, respectively, up by 0.2 and 0.8 percentage points from 2020. 95.0% of households had communities (villages) with convenient access to public transportation, an increase of 5.6 percentage points from 2020. The proportions in urban and rural areas were 99.0% and 88.9%, respectively, up by 1.6 and 10.5 percentage points from 2020. 99.7% of households had communities or natural villages connected to broadband, an increase of 0.9 percentage points from 2020. The proportions in urban and rural areas were 99.9% and 99.5%, respectively, up by 0.4 and 1.8 percentage points from 2020.

Basic public services in communities were continuously improved. In 2025, 97.2% of households nationwide considered their communities (villages) convenient or relatively convenient for accessing kindergartens (preschool classes), an increase of 2.0 percentage points from 2020. The proportions in urban and rural areas were 99.7% and 93.4%, respectively, up by 0.8 and 3.3 percentage points from 2020. 97.4% of households considered their communities (villages) convenient or relatively convenient for accessing primary schools, an increase of 1.5 percentage points from 2020. The proportions in urban and rural areas were 99.6% and 94.0%, respectively, up by 0.5 and 2.6 percentage points from 2020. Public services for residents’ health and safety continued to rise. In 2025, 93.4% of households nationwide had communities (villages) equipped with fitness equipment, an increase of 7.1 percentage points from 2020. The proportions in urban and rural areas were 96.4% and 88.9%, respectively, up by 4.0 and 10.9 percentage points from 2020. 72.1% of households had communities (villages) with dedicated security personnel, an increase of 5.3 percentage points from 2020. The proportions in urban and rural areas were 77.6% and 63.4%, respectively, up by 1.4 and 9.7 percentage points from 2020. In 2025, 95.8% of rural residents had villages with health stations (clinics), an increase of 2.5 percentage points from 2020.

During the 14th Five-Year Plan period, under the strong leadership of the CPC Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping at its core, residents’ incomes scaled new heights, the income distribution pattern continued to optimize, consumption levels steadily increased, the quality of life was comprehensively enhanced, and the people gained a greater sense of fulfilment, happiness and security. A solid foundation was laid for high-quality economic and social development, and valuable experience was accumulated for further ensuring and improving people’s well-being during the 15th Five-Year Plan period. Going forward, it is essential to unite more closely around the CPC Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping at its core, adhere to ensuring and improving people’s well-being in the course of development, continuously raise residents’ income, and persistently optimize the quality of residents’ lives, making new and greater contributions to realizing people’s aspirations for a better life.

Note:

[1] Unless otherwise specified, the following data represent nominal growth, except where explicitly stated as real growth.

Translate from: Website of the National Bureau of Statistics, June 5, 2026