消费结构与城镇居民消费不平等:2002-2018年

Consumption Structure and Consumption Inequality in Urban China: 2002-2018

在测算消费不平等时,有必要考虑不同商品类型的消费结构差异性。本文基于中国居民收入分配课题组(CHIP)数据,通过比较低收入人群和高收入人群在相对必需品和相对奢侈品支出结构上的差异性,并修正潜在的测量误差,估计了2002-2018年中国城镇居民消费不平等及其演变趋势。研究结果表明,中国城镇居民消费不平等在2002年至2013年之间扩大了25%,且主要是由住房、交通通信和文化娱乐消费差距的扩大导致的;而在2013年至2018年之间,消费不平等缩小了19%,且主要源于教育、交通通信和文化娱乐消费差距的缩小。异质性分析结果表明,2002年至2013年间,家中有老人、户主教育水平为初中及以下、户主年龄在45-64岁之间、家庭规模为4人和东部地区的消费不平等上升幅度更大;而在2013至2018年间,户主学历为高中、户主年龄在55-64岁之间、家庭规模为5人及以上和西部地区的消费不平等下降幅度更大。本文的研究可为了解城镇地区居民消费结构变化及消费不平等演变特征提供经验证据。

When measuring consumption inequality, it is necessary to consider the difference among different types of goods. Based on household survey data from the Chinese Household Income Project, by comparing the relative expenditure between low-income and high-income groups in relative necessities and luxuries, and correcting the potential measurement error, this paper estimates the consumption inequality and its evolution in urban China from 2002 to 2018. Empirical results demonstrate that consumption inequality in urban China increased by 25% between 2002 and 2013, which was mainly due to the residence, transport and communications,cultural and recreational articles. Between 2013 and 2018, consumption inequality decreased by 19%, which stemmed mainly from education, transport and communications, cultural and recreational articles. Heterogeneity results show that the consumption inequality in families with elderly members, the households with lower education levels, the age of householders between 45 and 64, the family size with 4 members and the eastern region were more serious between 2002 and 2013. Between 2013 and 2018, consumption inequality in the households with higher education levels, the age of householders between 55 and 64, the family size above 4 members and the western region decreased more sharply. This paper provides empirical evidence to understand the change of consumption structure and the evolution characteristics of consumption inequality in urban China.