Shanghai records highest per capita disposable income

Last year, residents' per capita disposable income topped 30,000 yuan ($4,735) in seven of China's 31 provincial-level regions, financial news outlet Yicai reported Thursday.

These seven regions -- Shanghai, Beijing, Zhejiang province, Tianjin, Jiangsu province, Guangdong province and Fujian province -- are all located in the coastal area.

The National Bureau of Statistics recently announced the per capita disposable income in China's 31 provinces, municipalities and autonomous regions.

Average per capita disposable income in Shanghai reached 58,987 yuan last year, the highest among China's 31 provincial-level regions, followed by Beijing (57,230 yuan) and Zhejiang province (42,045 yuan).

China's average per capita disposable income stood at 25,974 yuan last year, up 7.3 percent year-on-year, faster than GDP growth, NBS data showed.

A total of 10 provincial-level regions outperformed the national average including Liaoning province, Shandong province and Inner Mongolia autonomous region.

The gap in disposable income between urban and rural residents continues to shrink.

Per capita disposable income for urban residents reached 36,396 yuan last year, up 6.5 percent year-on-year, while rural residents' disposable income rose 7.3 percent to 13,432 yuan.

In terms of rural residents' disposable income, 10 provincial level regions outperformed the national average, and four regions exceeded 20,000 yuan.

Per capita disposable income for rural residents in Shanghai reached 27,825 yuan, taking the top spot nationwide, followed by Zhejiang province (24,956 yuan).