Although the incomes of Beijingers have been increasing steadily over the first nine months this year, 57.5 percent reported incomes lower than average, Beijing Municipality Statistics Bureau (BMSB) figures show.

The average disposable income amounted to 10,388 yuan (US$1,256) from January to September, up 11.8 percent on a year-on- year basis with inflation taken into account.

Approximately 10 percent of local citizens earn incomes of less than 60 percent of the municipal average.

During the first nine months, local farmers reported per capita incomes of 5,567 yuan (673 US dollars), up 11.7 percent compared to the same period last year. However, some 2.5 million farmers, accounting for 60 percent of the total rural population of Beijing, have incomes lower than the average.

BMSB surveys also showed that per-capita expenditure amounts to 8,070 yuan (976 US dollars) from January to September, up 4.5 percent on a year-on-year basis.

Automobiles, telecommunication devices and home decorating and furnishing materials were the biggest expenses, the survey showed.

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