Almost half of China’s 1.4 billion population spend less than US$150 a year on leisure activities

December 30, 2020

While the growing affluence of China’s vast population is welcomed across global markets, a new report has revealed that almost half of the nation’s 1.4 billion people spend less than US$150 a year on leisure activities.

According to the survey by the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences and the Tencent Literature and Travel Industry Research Institute, China’s average annual leisure spending was 5,647 yuan (US$863) this year.

As reported by the South China Morning Post, of the 12,000 people contacted by the joint nationwide survey, 22.7% said they spent between 1,001 yuan and 3,000 yuan per year on leisure, 10% from 3,001 yuan to 5,000 yuan, 11.1% from 5,001 yuan to 10,000 yuan and 11.8%more than 10,000 yuan.

Some 4.1% of respondents said they spent nothing on leisure, while 3.4% said they spent over 40,000 yuan.

Last week, China’s commerce ministry reiterated that the government will focus on domestic consumption next year.

The first meeting chaired by the new minister Wang Wentao stressed the importance of the domestic market, a key element of the new dual circulation strategy.

In May, Premier Li Keqiang said that China had 600 million people with a monthly income of 1,000 yuan (US$140), stoking ongoing debate about China’s wealth gap as over 40% of its 1.4 billion people are still living on a daily income of less than US$5.

At the start of December, President Xi Jinping declared victory in China’s fight against poverty, claiming nearly 100 million people had been lifted out of extreme material deprivation after eight years of struggle.

Poverty in China is defined as an annual cash income of about 4,000 yuan (US$611), but critics have long argued the threshold is too low.

However, due to its severe income inequality, rich Chinese families are leading the world in travel spending worldwide.

Image: The cliff top swing at China's Wansheng Ordovician Theme Park.

21st December 2020 - Chinese amusement trade exhibitions look forward to 2021

13th October 2020 - Manchester United reveal ‘Theatre of Dreams’ brand for entertainment centres across China

18th September 2020 - Beijing Culture and Tourism to hold online forum addressing China’s capital’s response to international tourism

18th August 2020 - Chinese entertainment and ticketing platform reports 90% fall in revenue for first six months of 2020

17th August 2020 - Coronavirus drives $11.7 billion fall in domestic tourism spending

10th July 2020 - China bans international sporting events until 2021

25th May 2020 - Organisers report progress of venues for China’s next National Games

22nd April 2020 - FIBO CHINA 2020 suspended to prevent spread of COVID-19

24th January 2020 - Coronavirus sees cancellation of major events and closure of attractions in China

2nd September 2019 - Chinese Government looks at new initiatives to decentralise sports industries

5th August 2019 - Reports chart ongoing growth of Chinese theme parks

3rd May 2019 - Global sports sponsorship spending set to reach US$65 billion this year

29th May 2018 - Dubai spends US$42.5 billion on mega projects ahead of Expo 2020

21st November 2016 - Chinese theme park guests demand convenience

21st June 2016 - Chinese professional sports market to reach US$242 billion by 2025

12th January 2015 - Yas Mall brings new retail and entertainment experiences to Abu Dhabi

17th August 2009 - 70% of Chinese theme parks ‘in the red’

Asking a small favour
We hope that you value the news that we publish so while you're here can we ask for your support?

The news we publish at www.ausleisure.com.au is independent, credible (we hope) and free for you to access, with no pay walls and no annoying pop-up ads.

However, as an independent publisher, can we ask for you to support us by subscribing to the printed Australasian Leisure Management magazine - if you don't already do so.

Published bi-monthly since 1997, the printed Australasian Leisure Management differs from this website in that it publishes longer, in-depth and analytical features covering aquatics, attractions, entertainment, events, fitness, parks, recreation, sport, tourism and venues management.

Subscriptions cost just $90 a year.

Click here to subscribe.