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Bai Yansong recently said in a CCTV program that according to the monthly salary of 3,000 yuan, China's middle-income group has reached 400 million. This assertion has sparked widespread controversy, with many netizens questioning Bai Yansong's detachment from reality and his inability to reflect the true income level of ordinary people. However, when evaluating the middle-income group, we need to consider various factors comprehensively and make a relatively objective and fair judgment.
First, we need to understand how average incomes compare across regions and groups. According to a report released by the National Bureau of Statistics in 2021, the per capita disposable income of urban residents nationwide reached 47,564 yuan, a year-on-year increase of 91%；The per capita disposable income of rural residents nationwide was 18,667 yuan, a year-on-year increase of 97%。It can be seen that whether it is urban or rural, the average income of Chinese residents can hardly reach the level of "3,000 yuan a month" in Bai Yansong's mouth, which is in stark contrast to his statement. Of course, income levels vary greatly across regions and groups. Taking urban workers as an example, the national average in 2021 is 83,732 yuan, while first-tier cities such as Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou and Shenzhen will exceed 100,000 yuanSecond- and third-tier cities in the central and western provinces are about 60,000 yuan. The average income of employees of other non-private enterprises and temporary workers is also low. Comparatively speaking, the middle-income group, which can earn 3,000 yuan a month, accounts for only a part of the total number of urban workers.
Second, we need to consider the consumption** index and purchasing power comparisons across regions. Income is only a nominal figure, and what really reflects residents' spending power is their real purchasing power. At present, there is a large gap in the consumption index between the eastern, central and western regions of China, which directly affects the actual purchasing power of residents. Taking the latest data in 2022 as an example, the consumption** index of first-tier cities such as Beijing, Shanghai and Guangzhou has reached about 2%, while many provinces in the central and western regions have controlled it within 1%. This means that residents in the eastern region have to pay higher daily consumption costs. Taking a monthly income of 3,000 yuan as an example, in Beijing it may only be equivalent to the actual purchasing power of about 2,500 yuan in central and western citiesIn Shenzhen, it may only be equivalent to the purchasing power of about 2,000 yuan in the central and western cities. In other words, a monthly salary of 3,000 yuan in a first-tier city can barely reach a lower standard of living.
Next, we can further analyze the monthly basic necessities of an average household or individual. Food is one of the most basic consumptions. According to the national standard, the minimum monthly food consumption for an adult is about 800 yuan, while a family of three needs about 1,600 yuan. The minimum amount for an adult is about 800 yuan per year, while a family of three needs about 1,500 yuan. Housing consumption is an important part of household spending. In first-tier cities, the monthly rent for a small room is about 2,500 yuan, while in second-tier cities it is about 1,500 yuan, and the rent in smaller cities may be around 1,000 yuan. Transportation consumption includes the cost of urban public transportation or self-driving, which is about 300-500 yuan per adult. Communication consumption is mainly mobile phones** and Internet access fees, which are about 100 yuan per person. Water and electricity consumption is a necessity for family life, and a family of three is about 200-300 yuan. Education consumption is an important expenditure for urban households, averaging about 1,000 yuan per month. Medical expenses include the out-of-pocket part after social security reimbursement and drug expenses, which are about 100-300 yuan for adults. Considering the above consumption, it is difficult for a family of three in an ordinary town to meet the basic living needs with an income of 3,000 yuan. In particular, spending on education, health care and housing accounts for almost half of revenue. In other words, a monthly income of 3,000 yuan can barely maintain basic family life, and there is hardly any savings. Therefore, it does not seem to be true to say that it has reached a medium level.
Although the per capita disposable income of Chinese residents has continued to grow in the past decade and reached a record high in the past decade, we must also be soberly aware that this growth is not shared equally by all groups. Due to the long-term imbalance in the income distribution structure, a considerable number of ordinary workers and families are still facing the dilemma of slow income growth and high consumption pressure. For example, the old-age security of empty nesters in rural and urban areas is insufficient, and many of them only rely on the minimum subsistence allowance to live. The wages of migrant workers, temporary workers and other groups have been low for a long time. Many workers of small and medium-sized enterprises have the problem of arrears of wages due to difficulties in business operations. It is difficult for these groups to reach the "medium level" of 3,000 yuan in actual income a month. Not to mention the plight of some unemployed people living on benefits, as well as some groups of people who are physically disabled and unable to work, whose basic survival is under major threat.
Therefore, when judging whether China as a whole meets the criteria of "middle-income country", we cannot ignore the feelings and practical difficulties of the groups at the bottom of society. Their feelings are the most important criterion for judging the degree of development of a country and a society. Bai Yansong's statement that "a monthly income of 3,000 is already a middle income" may overemphasize the growth behind the macro statistics, and fail to fully appreciate the real feelings and experiences of many ordinary people. Therefore, in our assessment of the middle-income group, we need to consider various factors more comprehensively to obtain a more objective judgment.
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