According to the sampling investigation on the 68,000 rural residents from 31 provinces (districts and cities) all over the country, the per capita living expenditure in cash of rural households has reached 996 Yuan in the first half of 2005, 166 (20%) more than the level of the same period last year. The real growth deflated by price factor was 16.6%, 8.9% quicker than the last year. All kinds of living expenditure have been increasing, among which the per capita expenditure in commodity was 674 Yuan, increased by 108 Yuan; the per capita expenditure in service was 322 Yuan, increased by 58, i.e. 21.8%.

1. The food expenditure has increased greatly

The per capita cash expenditure of the rural residents on food was 377 Yuan, increased by 60 (i.e. 18.8%), the increasing rate was 3.5% more than the same period level of the last year. The food expenditure increased mainly contributed to the increased purchase of  cereals and meat. In the first half of the year, the average consumption of the rural residents of cereals was 22 kilograms, increased by 21.1%, and the corresponding consumption was 40 Yuan, increased by 9 Yuan (i.e. 30.6%); the average consumption was 5 kilograms, increased by 14.2% and the corresponding per capita expenditure was 60 Yuan, increased by 12 Yuan (i.e. 24.6%).

2. The consistent increase in the expenditure on wearing.

The per capita cash expenditure on dress of the rural residents increased by 19.2% (i.e.12 Yuan) to 75 Yuan. Specifically, the expenditure on purchasing clothes increased by 21.4% to 49 Yuan and the expenditure on the footwear increased 17.8% to 19 Yuan.

3. The expenditure on residence has been growing steadily

The per capita expenditure on residence of the rural households increased 17 Yuan (i.e.13.6%) to 145 Yuan. Specifically, the per capita expenditure on building materials increased 12 Yuan (24.4%) to 63; the per capita expenditure on fuels increased 5 Yuan (36.0%) to 20 and on household goods decreased 5 Yuan (by 46.5%) to 6.

4. The expenditure on household facilities and services increased the fastest.

The cash expenditure of the rural residents on household facilities increased 12 Yuan (i.e. by 27.6%) to 56, which was the fastest over all kinds of expenditures. Specifically, the per capital expenditure on purchasing furniture increased by 35.2% to an amount of 11 Yuan and that on purchasing electrical and mechanical devices increased by 36.7% to 14 Yuan.

5. The expenditure on transportation and communication experienced a sustained fast growth.

The per capita cash expenditure on transportation and communication increased 25 Yuan (i.e. increased by 25.9) to 119; the increase amount came just after the expenditure on food. Specifically, the per capita expenditure on purchasing vehicles increased by 10.4% to the amount of 26 Yuan and on transporting increased by 26.5% to 24 Yuan, on purchasing means of communication increased by 32.9% to 12 Yuan and on communication expenditure increased by 20.8% to 36 Yuan.

6. The expenditure on culture, education and entertainment increased greatly.

The per capita cash expenditure on purchasing articles and services for culture, education and entertainment increased 20 Yuan (i.e. by 20.7%) to 116. Specifically, the per capita expenditure on purchasing articles was 31 Yuan (increased by 23.8%), on tuition fee was 68 Yuan (increased by 15.5%) and on services for culture, sport and entertainment increased by 27.2% to 7 Yuan.

7. The expenditure on medical treatment and health care increased by a large amount.

The per capita cash expenditure on medical treatment and health care of the rural residents increased 17 Yuan (i.e. by 27.1%) to 81 Yuan. Specifically, the expenditure on drugs increased by 27.9% to 37 Yuan and on fee-for-service increased by 26.6% to 41 Yuan.

8. The expenditure on other commodities and services presented a slight increase.

The per capita cash expenditure on purchasing other commodities and services increased by 14.2% (i.e. 3 Yuan) to 27 Yuan.