Urban residents feel high economic pressure: survey (2)

The blue book found that the cost of housing is urban residents' top economic burden, followed by living expenses and children's education.

According to the blue book, increases in people's incomes have lagged behind the country's economic growth rate, and a smaller proportion of workers' wages in the gross domestic product (GDP) also undermines people's consumption capabilities.

China's per capita GDP rose by an annual average of 8.8 percent between 1979 and 2011, but the incomes of urban and rural residents increased only 7.4 percent annually, according to the blue book.

Moreover, the proportion of laborers' wages in the GDP fell from 50.7 percent in 2004 to 44.9 percent last year.

These facts have resulted in a declining consumption rate, it said.

According to the blue book, commodities prices, housing prices and medical care are the greatest concerns of those living in cities, and urbanites are also paying more attention to issues such as the wealth gap, social stability, territorial disputes between China and neighboring countries and social ethics and morality in the country.

We Recommend:
Photos: Most touching loves in 2012	Snow brings joy to severe winter	Make wishes as end of Mayan calendar nears
Nanjing Massacre victims remembered	China's weekly story (2012.12.10-12.15)	Tell the whole world how I love you
Residential building collapses in Ningbo	Day to remember as couples tie the knot	Chinese space probe flies by asteroid