Add as a preferred source on GoogleChina’s Rural Households Spend 8.7% of Income on Health Care
The U.S. share is nearly 9.9%, while urban China is at 5.4%. Rural disposable income is less than half the urban level.
Rural Chinese households spend 8.7% of disposable income on health care, the second-highest share among 20 major economies, as medical costs weigh on household consumption.
The U.S. ranks first, with nearly 9.9% of disposable income going to health care. Urban China ranks third at 5.4%.
High health care costs are a factor driving households in China to save rather than spend. Targeted increases in government spending on health care and social security in rural areas can reduce household saving rates.
Per-capita disposable income in the United States was $68,289 at the end of 2025, more than 10 times China’s roughly $6,400. Within China, urban disposable income was more than twice the rural level.
John Kim
John Kim reports on the digital-asset business for TokenPost. Send corrections or tips to info@tokenpost.com.