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Wages, labour markets, and living standards in China, 1530–1840

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  • Liu, Ziang

Abstract

This article studies the long-term wage development in China between 1530 and 1840. In the long run, nominal wages moved in tandem with prices, but did not respond as quickly as the increase in prices. Real wages experienced two substantial falls between the 1620s-1650s and the 1740s-1760s, but remained relatively stable in the remainder of the period examined. Rural-urban wage disparities suggest that the agricultural sector, rather than urban industries, continued to absorb surplus labour. A comparison of wages in Lower Yangzi China and England suggests that the wage gap widens after 1700.

Suggested Citation

  • Liu, Ziang, 2024. "Wages, labour markets, and living standards in China, 1530–1840," Explorations in Economic History, Elsevier, vol. 92(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:exehis:v:92:y:2024:i:c:s0014498323000633
    DOI: 10.1016/j.eeh.2023.101569
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Wage; Living standard; Labour market; early modern China; Great divergence;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • N3 - Economic History - - Labor and Consumers, Demography, Education, Health, Welfare, Income, Wealth, Religion, and Philanthropy
    • N15 - Economic History - - Macroeconomics and Monetary Economics; Industrial Structure; Growth; Fluctuations - - - Asia including Middle East
    • J21 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demand and Supply of Labor - - - Labor Force and Employment, Size, and Structure
    • J31 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Wages, Compensation, and Labor Costs - - - Wage Level and Structure; Wage Differentials

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