In recent decades China’s economy has grown more rapidly and in a more sustained fashion than that of any other country worldwide. This growth has had many positive benefits, one of which is a substantial improvement in average standards of living. Most people in China have higher incomes,
consume more and better goods, and live in better housing than ever before. Between 1988 and 2002, the time period covered in this volume, household income per capita on average nearly tripled in real terms. Also, life expectancy has increased, and education levels continue to rise.