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China’s evolving inequality

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  • John Knight

Abstract

China’s inequality is evolving. This paper brings the story up to date, drawing on recent research, much of it by the author. It begins with a brief account of rising inequality, and its causes, over the period of economic reform. It then examines the fall in the inequality of income in recent years and the reasons for this reversal of trend. Inequality of wealth, by contrast, has risen over the twenty-first century: its dimensions, components and causes are analysed. The final substantive section considers the evaluation of inequality in more depth and detail than is conventional, and provides pointers as to how value judgements about inequality might be made.

Suggested Citation

  • John Knight, 2017. "China’s evolving inequality," Journal of Chinese Economic and Business Studies, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 15(4), pages 307-323, October.
    • Handle: RePEc:taf:jocebs:v:15:y:2017:i:4:p:307-323
    DOI: 10.1080/14765284.2017.1317171
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Azizur Rahman Khan & Keith Griffin & Carl Riskin & Zhao Renwei, 1993. "Household Income and its Distribution in China," Palgrave Macmillan Books, in: Keith Griffin & Zhao Renwei (ed.), The Distribution of Income in China, chapter 1, pages 25-73, Palgrave Macmillan.
    2. Ravi Kanbur & Xiaobo Zhang, 2005. "Fifty Years of Regional Inequality in China: a Journey Through Central Planning, Reform, and Openness," Review of Development Economics, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 9(1), pages 87-106, February.
    3. Knight, John & Deng, Quheng & Li, Shi, 2011. "The puzzle of migrant labour shortage and rural labour surplus in China," China Economic Review, Elsevier, vol. 22(4), pages 585-600.
    4. Davies, James B. & Sandstrom, Susanna & Shorrocks, Anthony & Wolff, Edward N., 2006. "The World Distribution of Household Wealth," Conference papers 331490, Purdue University, Center for Global Trade Analysis, Global Trade Analysis Project.
    5. Huang, Bihong & Chen, Kang, 2012. "Are intergovernmental transfers in China equalizing?," China Economic Review, Elsevier, vol. 23(3), pages 534-551.
    6. John B. Knight, 2014. "China as a Developmental State," The World Economy, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 37(10), pages 1335-1347, October.
    7. John Knight, 2014. "Inequality in China: An Overview," The World Bank Research Observer, World Bank, vol. 29(1), pages 1-19.
    8. Melanie Manion, 2016. "Taking China’s anticorruption campaign seriously," Economic and Political Studies, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 4(1), pages 3-18, January.
    9. Knight, John, 2013. "The economic causes and consequences of social instability in China," China Economic Review, Elsevier, vol. 25(C), pages 17-26.
    10. Brandt, Loren & Holz, Carsten A, 2006. "Spatial Price Differences in China: Estimates and Implications," Economic Development and Cultural Change, University of Chicago Press, vol. 55(1), pages 43-86, October.
    11. Easterlin, Richard A. & Morgan, Robson & Switek, Maggie & Wang, Fei, 2013. "China's Life Satisfaction, 1990-2010," IZA Discussion Papers 7196, Institute of Labor Economics (IZA).
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    Cited by:

    1. Le Zhang & Chuanqing Liao & Huan Zhang & Xiaobo Hua, 2018. "Multilevel Modeling of Rural Livelihood Strategies from Peasant to Village Level in Henan Province, China," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 10(9), pages 1-13, August.

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