Impact of Income Growth and Economic Reform on Nutrition Availability in Urban China: 1986-2000

Abstract

A study was conducted to analyze the change in calorie demand elasticity during a period of fast economic growth and significant institutional reforms in China. The study used the data from the Urban Household Income and Expenditure Surveys (UHIES), conducted by National Bureau of Statistics (NBS). The study mapped out the nutrition availability of the urban population over the fast economic growth period of 1986-2000. The article also stated that despite rapid income growth the average nutrition availability during the mid-1990 was reduced, due to the increase in food prices and then increased from 1998 onward. The study also aimed to find out, whether income elasticity of nutrition is zero or not. The study also revealed the relationship between the calorie availability and expenditure. The results indicate that even in low household elasticity with mean level expenditures, the elasticity for poor are always significantly above zero.