In 2024, the average annual per capita disposable income of households in China amounted to approximately 41,300 yuan. Annual per capita income in Chinese saw a significant rise over the last decades and is still rising at a high pace. During the last ten years, per capita disposable income roughly doubled in China. Income distribution in China As an emerging economy, China faces a large number of development challenges, one of the most pressing issues being income inequality. The income gap between rural and urban areas has been stirring social unrest in China and poses a serious threat to the dogma of a “harmonious society” proclaimed by the communist party. In contrast to the disposable income of urban households, which reached around 54,200 yuan in 2024, that of rural households only amounted to around 23,100 yuan. Coinciding with the urban-rural income gap, income disparities between coastal and western regions in China have become apparent. As of 2023, households in Shanghai and Beijing displayed the highest average annual income of around 84,800 and 81,900 yuan respectively, followed by Zhejiang province with 63,800 yuan. Gansu, a province located in the West of China, had the lowest average annual per capita household income in China with merely 25,000 yuan. Income inequality in China The Gini coefficient is the most commonly used measure of income inequality. For China, the official Gini coefficient also indicates the astonishing inequality of income distribution in the country. Although the Gini coefficient has dropped from its high in 2008 at 49.1 points, it still ranged at a score of 46.5 points in 2023. The United Nations have set an index value of 40 as a warning level for serious inequality in a society.

Key information about China Household Income per Capita

• China Annual Household Income per Capita reached 4,805.935 USD in Dec 2013, compared with the previous value of 4,273.467 USD in Dec 2012.
• China Annual Household Income per Capita data is updated yearly, available from Dec 1985 to Dec 2013, with an averaged value of 711.353 USD.
• The data reached an all-time high of 4,805.935 USD in Dec 2013 and a record low of 262.918 USD in Dec 1986.
• In the latest reports, Retail Sales of China grew 12.700 % YoY in May 2023.

CEIC converts Annual Household Income per Capita into USD. The National Bureau of Statistics provides Average Household Income per Capita in local currency. Federal Reserve Board average market exchange rate is used for currency conversions. Household Income covers urban area only.

In 2023, an employee working for a not privately held company or organization in urban areas of China earned around 120,698 yuan annually on average. That year, the year-on-year growth rate of the average salary ranged at 5.8 percent nominally and 5.5 percent real.

Regional differences in salary levels

Salary levels in urban China have seen a significant rise between 2013 and 2023. During that period, average annual salaries of employees in non-private urban units have grown from around 51,500 to 120,700 yuan per year. Yet as of 2022, large income disparities still existed between different regions in China. While employees in Shanghai enjoyed the highest annual salaries on average, Henan province and Jilin province in central and northeastern China displayed the lowest average annual salaries. Regions with lower income levels are mainly located in central China or in the former centers of steel and heavy industry in Northeast China, whereas the coastal regions and municipalities in general still provide comparatively higher salaries.

Occupational salary differences

Moreover, a considerable salary discrepancy exists between different occupational groups in China. As of 2023, people working in IT services were atop the list earning about 231,800 yuan per year on average, whereas people in the financial service sector reached approximately 197,700 yuan. The hotels and catering sector ranked at the lower end with an average annual salary of around 58,100 yuan.

China is the largest labor force market in the world. China’s economic prosperity wouldn’t exist without the large number of people working in this country. With increasing living standards and growing inflation, the wages of employees in China are increasing as well. As of 2022, average wages in China increased to114,029 yuan from 47,593 yuan in 2012.

Wage gap between regions

The wages vary in China depending on sector, position, gender and region like in any other country. Since China’s different regions have developed unequally, the wage gaps between people working in different regions can also be very large. This is a reason for no single minimum wage being set for the entire nation. The local governments set minimum wages based on local living standards. Considering the city tier, the wage standards are higher in cities with higher rankings. Shanghai and Beijing have the highest minimum wage standards in China. Although the minimum wages in China have been increasing, the standards are still lower than in developed countries.

Challenges of increasing labor costs

Increasing wages also make the labor force market less attractive. Affected by increasing labor costs and the China-United States trade war, many companies are transferring their investment destinations, especially in the manufacturing sector. Local governments are also taking measures to ensure the living costs remain at a reasonable level to retain companies and employees. These measures include regulating the residential housing market more strictly.

This statistic shows the annual real growth of per capita disposable income in rural households in China from 2010 to 2024. In 2024, per capita disposable income of rural households in China increased price-adjusted by around 6.3 percent compared to the previous year.

Key information about China GDP Per Capita

• China Gross Domestic Product (GDP) per Capita reached 12,621.720 USD in Dec 2023, compared with 12,674.873 USD in Dec 2022.
• China GDP Per Capita data is updated yearly, available from Dec 1957 to Dec 2023, with an average number of 369.297 USD.
• The data reached an all-time high of 12,674.873 USD in Dec 2022 and a record low of 68.243 in Dec 1957.
• CEIC converts annual GDP per Capita into USD. The National Bureau of Statistics provides GDP per Capita in local currency. Federal Reserve Board average market exchange rate is used for currency conversions.

Related information about China GDP Per Capita data

• In the latest reports, China GDP expanded 4.550 % YoY in Mar 2023.
• China Nominal GDP reached 4,166.759 USD bn in Mar 2023.
• Its GDP deflator (implicit price deflator) increased 0.400 % in Mar 2023.
• Gross Savings Rate of China was measured at 44.277 % in Dec 2023.

This statistic shows the provincial capitals and cities in China with the highest average wage in 2022. At this time, the average wage in non-private companies in Beijing was around 215,100 yuan per annum.

Disposable Income per Capita: Hangzhou data was reported at 37,510.500 RMB in 2012. This records an increase from the previous number of 34,065.090 RMB for 2011. Disposable Income per Capita: Hangzhou data is updated yearly, averaging 12,161.880 RMB from Dec 1993 (Median) to 2012, with 20 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 37,510.500 RMB in 2012 and a record low of 3,390.550 RMB in 1993. Disposable Income per Capita: Hangzhou data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by National Bureau of Statistics. The data is categorized under China Premium Database’s Household Survey – Table CN.HD: Disposable Income per Capita: City.

Average Wage: Gansu: Qingyang: Zhenyuan data was reported at 29,105.000 RMB in 2010. This records an increase from the previous number of 28,645.000 RMB for 2009. Average Wage: Gansu: Qingyang: Zhenyuan data is updated yearly, averaging 20,340.000 RMB from Dec 2004 (Median) to 2010, with 7 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 29,105.000 RMB in 2010 and a record low of 10,811.000 RMB in 2004. Average Wage: Gansu: Qingyang: Zhenyuan data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by National Bureau of Statistics. The data is categorized under China Premium Database’s Labour Market – Table CN.GK: Average Wage: County Level Region.

Disposable Income per Capita: Urban: Hubei: Xiangyang data was reported at 43,893.000 RMB in 2022. This records an increase from the previous number of 41,214.000 RMB for 2021. Disposable Income per Capita: Urban: Hubei: Xiangyang data is updated yearly, averaging 19,043.000 RMB from Dec 2002 to 2022, with 21 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 43,893.000 RMB in 2022 and a record low of 6,506.000 RMB in 2002. Disposable Income per Capita: Urban: Hubei: Xiangyang data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Xiangyang Municipal Bureau of Statistics. The data is categorized under China Premium Database’s Household Survey – Table CN.HF: Disposable Income per Capita: Prefecture Level City: Urban.

As of 2022, the median annual salary of a data analyst in the Chinese data and artificial intelligence industry reached 37 thousand yuan. According to the source, junior-level employees in the technology industry gained the most from changing their jobs. In contrast, from the middle-level upwards, the salary increases are much lower after taking a position at a new employer.

The statistic shows the average annual salary of employees working for urban non-private companies and organizations in China between 2013 and 2023, by geographic region. In 2023, the average income of an employee working at an urban unit in West China ranged at approximately 108,000 yuan per year.

Income per Capita: Year to Date: Haikou data was reported at 23,915.790 RMB in Dec 2012. This records an increase from the previous number of 18,253.100 RMB for Sep 2012. Income per Capita: Year to Date: Haikou data is updated quarterly, averaging 11,448.845 RMB from Mar 2007 to Dec 2012, with 24 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 23,915.790 RMB in Dec 2012 and a record low of 4,062.250 RMB in Mar 2007. Income per Capita: Year to Date: Haikou data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by National Bureau of Statistics. The data is categorized under Global Database’s China – Table CN.HD: Income per Capita: City.

Disposable Income per Capita: Year to Date: Urban: Hebei: Hengshui data was reported at 10,103.000 RMB in Mar 2023. This records a decrease from the previous number of 37,214.000 RMB for Dec 2022. Disposable Income per Capita: Year to Date: Urban: Hebei: Hengshui data is updated quarterly, averaging 13,068.500 RMB from Mar 2008 to Mar 2023, with 60 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 37,214.000 RMB in Dec 2022 and a record low of 3,023.600 RMB in Mar 2008. Disposable Income per Capita: Year to Date: Urban: Hebei: Hengshui data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Hengshui Municipal Bureau of Statistics. The data is categorized under China Premium Database’s Household Survey – Table CN.HF: Disposable Income per Capita: Prefecture Level City: Urban: Quarterly.

Disposable Income per Capita: Year to Date: Urban: Sichuan: Panzhihua data was reported at 50,009.100 RMB in Dec 2022. This records an increase from the previous number of 39,720.078 RMB for Sep 2022. Disposable Income per Capita: Year to Date: Urban: Sichuan: Panzhihua data is updated quarterly, averaging 16,881.767 RMB from Dec 2008 to Dec 2022, with 57 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 50,009.100 RMB in Dec 2022 and a record low of 3,517.340 RMB in Mar 2009. Disposable Income per Capita: Year to Date: Urban: Sichuan: Panzhihua data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Panzhihua Municipal Bureau of Statistics. The data is categorized under China Premium Database’s Household Survey – Table CN.HF: Disposable Income per Capita: Prefecture Level City: Urban: Quarterly.

Explore the progression of average salaries for graduates in Chinese from 2020 to 2023 through this detailed chart. It compares these figures against the national average for all graduates, offering a comprehensive look at the earning potential of Chinese relative to other fields. This data is essential for students assessing the return on investment of their education in Chinese, providing a clear picture of financial prospects post-graduation.

Disposable Income per Capita: Heilongjiang: Yichun data was reported at 24,998.000 RMB in 2018. This records an increase from the previous number of 22,502.000 RMB for 2017. Disposable Income per Capita: Heilongjiang: Yichun data is updated yearly, averaging 20,511.500 RMB from Dec 2013 (Median) to 2018, with 6 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 24,998.000 RMB in 2018 and a record low of 16,377.240 RMB in 2013. Disposable Income per Capita: Heilongjiang: Yichun data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Yichun Municipal Bureau of Statistics. The data is categorized under China Premium Database’s Household Survey – Table CN.HF: Disposable Income per Capita: Prefecture Level City.

Disposable Income per Capita: Jilin: Baicheng data was reported at 19,820.000 RMB in 2015. Disposable Income per Capita: Jilin: Baicheng data is updated yearly, averaging 19,820.000 RMB from Dec 2015 to 2015, with 1 observations. Disposable Income per Capita: Jilin: Baicheng data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Baicheng Municipal Bureau of Statistics. The data is categorized under China Premium Database’s Household Survey – Table CN.HF: Disposable Income per Capita: Prefecture Level City.

According to an annual survey about Chinese women's workplace, the average monthly income of the female respondents in 2025 amounted to 8,978 yuan, about 15 percent lower than the monthly salary of the male respondents. In the previous year, the average monthly income of female respondents was 8,958 yuan.

Cash Income per Capita: Year to Date: RH: HB: PS: Forestry: Guangdong data was reported at 57.850 RMB in Dec 2012. This records a decrease from the previous number of 58.950 RMB for Dec 2011. Cash Income per Capita: Year to Date: RH: HB: PS: Forestry: Guangdong data is updated quarterly, averaging 19.120 RMB from Mar 2003 to Dec 2012, with 34 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 58.950 RMB in Dec 2011 and a record low of 4.560 RMB in Mar 2005. Cash Income per Capita: Year to Date: RH: HB: PS: Forestry: Guangdong data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by National Bureau of Statistics. The data is categorized under China Premium Database’s Household Survey – Table CN.HD: Cash Income per Capita: Rural.