

China has 300-million middle-income earners, over 30% of the world’s total, according to Outlook Weekly, a magazine hosted by China’s Xinhua News Agency.
The average disposable income per capita of China stood at 23,821 RMB ($3,656) in 2016, 44.3% more than that in 2012. With the improving quality of Chinese economy, more and more people will join the middle-income group.
However, the middle-income class usually makes up more than 60% of the population in developed countries, noted Mao Shengyong, a spokesperson for China’s National Statistics Bureau (NBS). The middle-income group in China is growing, but there is still a huge gap, Mao added.
Though there is no standard definition of middle-income, the World Bank’s criterion of annual income between $3,650 and $36,500 has been widely adopted, said Mao.
Previous research by Credit Suisse revealed that there are around 1.05 billion people in the middle-income class globally, and 35% of them are in China.
Economic stability, urbanization, emerging industries, improving service sector, and poverty alleviation have all contributed to the enlargement of this group in China, according to Mao.
Fire brigade in Shanghai holds group wedding
Tourists enjoy ice sculptures in Datan Town, north China
Sunset scenery of Dayan Pagoda in Xi'an
Tourists have fun at scenic spot in Nanlong Town, NW China
Harbin attracts tourists by making best use of ice in winter
In pics: FIS Alpine Ski Women's World Cup Slalom
Black-necked cranes rest at reservoir in Lhunzhub County, Lhasa
China's FAST telescope will be available to foreign scientists in April
"She power" plays indispensable role in poverty alleviation
Top 10 world news events of People's Daily in 2020
Top 10 China news events of People's Daily in 2020
Top 10 media buzzwords of 2020
Year-ender:10 major tourism stories of 2020
No interference in Venezuelan issues
Biz prepares for trade spat
Broadcasting Continent
Australia wins Chinese CEOs as US loses