The National Bureau of Statistics has released China’s latest report on per capita disposable income for the first half of 2025. The data highlights steady income growth nationwide, with 11 provinces surpassing ¥20,000 in per capita disposable income—and Shanghai and Beijing leading the chart, each exceeding ¥45,000.
What Does Disposable Income Really Mean?
Disposable income refers to the portion of a resident’s income that is available for spending or saving after taxes and required contributions. It includes wage income, net business income, property income, and transfer income. This figure—when averaged across the population—serves as a crucial benchmark for assessing living standards and economic strength in different regions of China.
National Snapshot: Consistent Growth Across the Board
In the first six months of 2025, China’s national average disposable income reached ¥21,840, marking a 5.3% year-on-year increase. After adjusting for inflation, the real growth rate stood at 5.4%.
- Urban residents earned ¥28,844 on average, up 4.7%.
- Rural residents saw faster growth, averaging ¥11,936—a 5.9% nominal increase and a 6.2% real increase.
This widening income base reflects China’s overall economic resilience and the expanding benefits of industrial transformation in both urban and rural communities.
Regional Rankings: Who’s Leading?
Shanghai remained in first place with a per capita disposable income of ¥46,805, followed closely by Beijing at ¥45,144. Wage income was the primary engine of growth in Beijing, with the city’s average wage earnings reaching ¥29,447—accounting for more than 70% of the overall income increase.
Other top-performing provinces included: Zhejiang、Jiangsu、Tianjin、Guangdong、Fujian、Shandong、Chongqing、Liaoning、Inner Mongolia
| Province or territory | PCDI[1] in the First Half of 2025 (RMB) | Province or territory | PCDI in the First Half of 2025 (RMB) |
| Beijing | 45,144 | Henan | 18,194 |
| Tianjin | 29,176 | Hubei | 18,930 |
| Hebei | 17,795 | Hunan | 18,842 |
| Shanxi | 15,731 | Guangdong | 29,183 |
| Inner Mongolia | 20,042 | Guangxi | 16,953 |
| Liaoning | 21,343 | Hainan | 19,211 |
| Jilin | 15,973 | Chongqing | 22,117 |
| Heilongjiang | 14,881 | Sichuan | 18,779 |
| Shanghai | 46,805 | Guizhou | 14,569 |
| Jiangsu | 30,706 | Yunnan | 15,050 |
| Zhejiang | 37,813 | Tibet | 13,364 |
| Anhui | 20,728 | Shaanxi | 17,756 |
| Fujian | 26,476 | Gansu | 14,478 |
| Jiangxi | 17,556 | Qinghai | 14,408 |
| Shandong | 22,592 | Ningxia | 15,461 |
| Xinjiang | 13,040 |
[1] PCDI : Per Capita Disposable Income
Inland Momentum: Central & Western Regions Rising
What stands out in 2025 is the strong performance of inland provinces such as Chongqing, Anhui, Hubei, Hunan, and Inner Mongolia. These regions have seen accelerated urbanization and industrial development, particularly in high-value manufacturing and advanced technology sectors.
Cities like Wuhan, Chengdu, Hefei, Xi’an, and Chongqing are becoming growth engines:
- Wuhan ended 2024 with more than 16,500 high-tech enterprises. High-tech sectors contributed over 30% to the city’s GDP, and the capital’s innovation ecosystem continues to expand.
- In Hefei, the electric vehicle (EV) sector is booming. The city produced 1.35 million EVs last year and is home to major players like BYD, NIO, Volkswagen Anhui, and Changan. Hefei also hosts 500+ auto parts suppliers, including battery giants like Gotion High-Tech and CALB.
These developments signal a clear shift: China’s innovation and income growth are no longer concentrated only in the east—they are taking root nationwide.
Why This Matters
Rising disposable income levels, particularly in central and western China, suggest that regional disparities are gradually narrowing. For businesses, this means new opportunities to tap into expanding consumer markets outside of traditional hubs like Shanghai or Shenzhen.
For policymakers, the data offers evidence that investments in urbanization, education, and innovation are paying off—not just in GDP figures, but in everyday livelihoods.
Conclusion
China’s 2025 mid-year income data presents an optimistic view of regional development. While Shanghai and Beijing continue to dominate the rankings, it’s the inland momentum that tells the deeper story: China’s economic map is becoming more balanced, dynamic, and opportunity-rich.
As provinces continue to invest in high-tech industries and urban infrastructure, we can expect disposable incomes—and quality of life—to keep rising across broader regions of the country.
