New data from the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) reveals which province-level regions in China are host to the highest levels of consumer spending.
Shanghai, Beijing and Tianjin topped 31 Chinese province-level administrative unit in terms of per capita consumer spending in the first half of 2018.
According to NBS data per capita consumer spending in Shanghai was 21,321 yuan in the first half, as compared to per capita disposable income of 32,612 yuan, putting the China’s financial hub at the top of both categories.
Shanghai was also the only region in China whose per capita consumer spending was greater than 20,000 yuan.
National per capita consumer spending was 9609 yuan in the first half of 2018, for real growth of 6.7%.
Ten regions were host to consumer spending above this figure, including Shanghai, Beijing, Tianjin, Zhejiang, Guangdong, Jiangsu, Fujian, Liaoning, Hubei and Inner Mongolia.
Seven provinces posted per capita consumer spending between 10,000 yuan and 20,000 yuan, including Beijing, Tianjin, Zhejiang, Guangdong, Jiangsu, Fujian and Liaoning.
“Household consumer spending” (居民消费支出) is defined by the NBS as all expenditures used to satisfy daily consumption needs, divided into the eight categories of food, alcohol and tobacco; apparel, domiciles, daily use products and services, transportation and communication, education, culture and entertainment, medical treatment and health, and other products and services.
Spending on food, alcohol and tobacco and domiciles saw the biggest increase, rising by 29.3% and 22.4% respectively.
Average consumer spending in China by category in H1 2018
| Category | Amount (yuan) | Growth |
| Food, alcohol and tobacco | 2814 | 29.3% |
| Apparel | 710 | 7.4% |
| Domicile | 2157 | 22.4% |
| Daily use products and services | 598 | 6.2% |
| Transportation and communication | 1286 | 13.4% |
| Education, culture and entertainment | 932 | 9.7% |
| Medical treatment and health | 860 | 8.9% |
| Other products and services | 253 | 2.6% |
