The research conducted by the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences showed that more than half of the population in Beijing and Shanghai fall under the category of "middle class." (Photo : www.slate.com)
A report by one of China’s top think tanks revealed that China's middle class has grown into a major force, driving society in a positive direction, China Daily reported.
The research conducted by the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences showed that more than half of the population in Beijing and Shanghai, and around 40 percent in Guangzhou, fall under the category of "middle class." The research was based on three factors: job category, income and expenditure.
The research also found that middle-class households in the three cities have an average income of around 200,000 yuan ($30,000) a year and more than half of them have their own property and car.
The report said that the findings of the research on China's middle class were compiled in the annual Blue Book of China's Society.
The research showed that higher income has positive impact on the quality of life for these people, which indicated that China's middle class spend generously to improve their skills and knowledge as well as on the education of their children.
Members of middle-class families also tend to read and travel a lot, more than six times within China and two times overseas annually. They also read an average of 12 books a year, compared with less than five books for the national average.
In addition, middle-class people show higher interest for charity or social work, such as donating blood and taking part in environmental protection activities, as well as in discussing political and social issues.
The survey also showed that the middle class has a growing sense of identity.
About half of the respondents in Beijing believed they belong to the middle class, compared with 30 percent having the same opinion five years ago, while 66 percent believed they will be part of the middle class five years later, according to the survey.
The survey also made a remarkable revelation that most people in the middle class are employed in the private sector rather than in the public sector, as it used to be. Most of them were hired by personal application, instead of state unified assignment.
China's middle class is estimated to be around 100 million, and the government is committed to increasing middle-income earners in an effort to reform the income distribution system and avoid the "middle-income" trap, the report said.
