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The Iron Rice Bowl: Chinese Living Standards 1952–1978

Author

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  • Lein-Lein Chen

    (University of Nevada, Las Vegas)

  • John Devereux

    (Queens College, CUNY)

Abstract

We examine the evolution of Chinese living standards, as measured by household consumption, for the first three decades of communist rule. We find only a slow improvement. Certainly, the Chinese were better clothed; more urbanized and had more household goods after 1949. On the other hand, consumption of food and housing stagnated. We find that overall consumption per capita did not surpass the 1930’s until the late 1960’s. We also compare the Chinese record under Mao Zedong to other economies. As it turns out, Chinese living standards improved at a slower rate than elsewhere.

Suggested Citation

  • Lein-Lein Chen & John Devereux, 2017. "The Iron Rice Bowl: Chinese Living Standards 1952–1978," Comparative Economic Studies, Palgrave Macmillan;Association for Comparative Economic Studies, vol. 59(3), pages 261-310, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:pal:compes:v:59:y:2017:i:3:d:10.1057_s41294-017-0029-1
    DOI: 10.1057/s41294-017-0029-1
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    Cited by:

    1. Iikka Korhonen, 2019. "Forty Years of Chinese Reforms: An Overview," Comparative Economic Studies, Palgrave Macmillan;Association for Comparative Economic Studies, vol. 61(3), pages 349-358, September.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    growth; living standards; planning;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • N25 - Economic History - - Financial Markets and Institutions - - - Asia including Middle East
    • P20 - Political Economy and Comparative Economic Systems - - Socialist and Transition Economies - - - General
    • P24 - Political Economy and Comparative Economic Systems - - Socialist and Transition Economies - - - National Income, Product, and Expenditure; Money; Inflation

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