稳步扩大中等收入群体规模与促进共同富裕

Steadily Expanding the Middle-Income Group and Promoting Common Prosperity

摘要:

共同富裕是中国式现代化的重要特征，扩大中等收入群体是促进共同富裕的重要内容。基于宏观和微观层面数据测算发现，2010—2022年中国中等收入群体规模和比重持续提升，收入分布结构不断优化，共同富裕水平总体呈上升态势，但中等收入群体尚未成为绝对主体，城乡结构差异、群体下滑风险和区域不均衡问题仍然存在，稳步扩大中等收入群体规模仍是推进共同富裕需要持续发力的重要方向。扩大中等收入群体能够增强共同富裕的财富创造动力，夯实共同富裕的收入基础，强化共同富裕的人力资本支撑，稳固共同富裕的社会基础，从而把现代化发展成果更广泛、更持续地惠及全体人民。国际比较表明，扩大中等收入群体主要形成了公共服务和协调分配主导型、市场驱动和就业税收支持型、发展型国家统筹主导型三种模式，在制度安排和运行条件上各有特点，也分别受财政能力、市场条件、政府统筹能力和发展阶段等因素制约。结合中国实际，应重点从拓展中等收入群体覆盖面、增强居民持续增收能力、提升人力资本和发展能力、完善家庭福利与风险保障体系等方面协同发力，推动更多居民稳定进入中等收入区间，以中等收入群体持续扩大促进共同富裕扎实推进。

Abstract:

Common prosperity is an important feature of Chinese modernization. The expansion of the middle-income group is an important part of promoting common prosperity. Macro- and micro-level data were used to measure changes in China’s middle-income group and level of common prosperity. From 2010 to 2022, sustained growth is observed in both the size and share of the middle-income group. Continuous improvement is also observed in the income distribution structure. An overall upward trend is identified in the level of common prosperity. However, the middle-income group is not yet the dominant group. Urban-rural structural disparities, risks of downward mobility, and regional imbalances are still present. Therefore, further efforts are still required to steadily expand the middle-income group. The momentum for wealth creation can be strengthened through such expansion. The income foundation of common prosperity can be consolidated. Human capital support can be reinforced. The social foundation of common prosperity can be stabilized. Consequently, the gains of modernization can be shared more broadly and sustainably by all people. Three main models are identified through international comparison. They are the public-service and coordinated-distribution-led model, the market-driven and employment-and-tax-support model, and the developmental-state coordination-led model. Each model is characterized by distinctive institutional arrangements and operating conditions. The operation of these models is constrained by fiscal capacity, market conditions, government coordination capacity, and the stage of development. In accordance with China’s conditions, coordinated efforts should be made in several areas. The coverage of the middle-income group should be broadened. Residents’ capacity for sustained income growth should be strengthened. Human capital and development capabilities should be enhanced. Household welfare and risk protection systems should be improved. More residents should be enabled to enter and remain in the middle-income range. Solid progress toward common prosperity should be promoted through the sustained expansion of the middle-income group.