close
test_template

Income Inequality in China: Causes and Prevalence

About this sample

About this sample

close

Words: 598 |

Page: 1|

3 min read

Published: Mar 18, 2021

Words: 598|Page: 1|3 min read

Published: Mar 18, 2021

China has experienced vast economic reforms which have extended since 1978 and have been accompanied by an indisputable income inequality. The economic growth bolstered by widespread industrialization has significantly reduced China’s poverty level. However, income inequality has taken a fast-paced upward trend beyond levels experienced by any other country across the globe over the last decade. While China has been experiencing great economic boom due to industrialization, income inequality remains prevalent across different social and economic stratum.

'Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned'?

China’s income inequality is conterminous to collective organs such as families, kinship lineages, hukou (household registration), villages, and geographic locations among others. A 2013 study by Gong and Li affirms that income inequality is bound to geographic location. According to Gong and Li, rural-urban and inter-provincial income differences account for an estimated two-thirds of China’s income inequality. The trend dates back to 1980s where rural households have consistently earned lower incomes compared to their urban counterparts. Further, Gong and Li indicate that income growth in rural regions is dismal. Deductively, greater income inequality is experienced at the meso-collective level as opposed to individual level. Propaganda extended by the state champion for inequality as an opportunity cost necessary for economic development. According to Xie, the state blatantly conveys to the people that inequalities experienced between the rich and the poor are unavoidable costs that the people have to ascribe for the country to achieve the desired economic growth. Thus, economic prosperity advocated by the government for the people has intentionally left out a section of Chinese people for the greater good of the country.

Third, the conventional Chinese political credo sanctions merit-based inequality. The government extends a plethora of benefits and privileges to Chinese leaders who show high performance in expediting the public good. The Chinese meritocratic conventions endorse and find disparate treatment to be desirable. Such instances can be connected to what Trivedi refers to as sea turtles – Chinese people living abroad. Professional returnees qualify for the Beijing’s Thousand Talents program that rewards them with 500,000 yuan and a tentative 2 million yuan research grant among other benefits. Thus, China’s appetite for advanced delivery of quality public services and search for talent continues to boost the already wide income rift.

Get a custom paper now from our expert writers.

Acquisition of tertiary level education is a great determiner of income distribution. In China, the rapid technological advancements have seen a soaring demand for highly trained workers. In year 2017, Chinese universities produced an approximate 8 million graduates, twice the number of graduates in the U.S. Unfortunately, a wider rift in completion of tertiary education was observed between the rich and the poor and from urban to rural regions. For example, only 19 percent of those graduates were from Guangxi, a rural area in china, compared to a 70 percent graduates from Shanghai. For most countries, income inequality is unavoidable. However, how the government tries to strike income equality across all social stratums is fundamental. However, despite the blooming industrialization and higher levels of graduates joining the workforce, income inequality still remains a conundrum in China with notable high prevalence in rural areas among the poor. Traditionally, Chinese are tolerant of inequality which has been a major contributor to the current inequality status. While income inequality is viewed as divide between the rich and poor, China’s income boundaries are prominently structural as opposed to personal.

Works Cited

  1. Gong, Sen and Bingqin Li. 'Inequality in China.' 2013. Online. 4 May 2019. resourcecentre.savethechildren.net/sites/default/files/documents/inequality_in_china.pdf
  2. Trivedi, Anjani. China’s Racing to the Top in Income Inequality. 23 Sep 2018. 3 May 2019. www.bloomberg.com/opinion/articles/2018-09-23/china-s-racing-to-the-top-in-income-inequality/
  3. Xie, Yu. 'Understanding Inequality in China.' Chinese Journal of Sociology. 2016, vol. 2, no. 3, pp. 327-347.
Image of Prof. Linda Burke
This essay was reviewed by
Prof. Linda Burke

Cite this Essay

Income Inequality In China: Causes And Prevalence. (2021, March 18). GradesFixer. Retrieved March 29, 2024, from https://gradesfixer.com/free-essay-examples/income-inequality-in-china-causes-and-prevalence/
“Income Inequality In China: Causes And Prevalence.” GradesFixer, 18 Mar. 2021, gradesfixer.com/free-essay-examples/income-inequality-in-china-causes-and-prevalence/
Income Inequality In China: Causes And Prevalence. [online]. Available at: <https://gradesfixer.com/free-essay-examples/income-inequality-in-china-causes-and-prevalence/> [Accessed 29 Mar. 2024].
Income Inequality In China: Causes And Prevalence [Internet]. GradesFixer. 2021 Mar 18 [cited 2024 Mar 29]. Available from: https://gradesfixer.com/free-essay-examples/income-inequality-in-china-causes-and-prevalence/
copy
Keep in mind: This sample was shared by another student.
  • 450+ experts on 30 subjects ready to help
  • Custom essay delivered in as few as 3 hours
Write my essay

Still can’t find what you need?

Browse our vast selection of original essay samples, each expertly formatted and styled

close

Where do you want us to send this sample?

    By clicking “Continue”, you agree to our terms of service and privacy policy.

    close

    Be careful. This essay is not unique

    This essay was donated by a student and is likely to have been used and submitted before

    Download this Sample

    Free samples may contain mistakes and not unique parts

    close

    Sorry, we could not paraphrase this essay. Our professional writers can rewrite it and get you a unique paper.

    close

    Thanks!

    Please check your inbox.

    We can write you a custom essay that will follow your exact instructions and meet the deadlines. Let's fix your grades together!

    clock-banner-side

    Get Your
    Personalized Essay in 3 Hours or Less!

    exit-popup-close
    We can help you get a better grade and deliver your task on time!
    • Instructions Followed To The Letter
    • Deadlines Met At Every Stage
    • Unique And Plagiarism Free
    Order your paper now