Social Development under Xi Jinping Education, Health, and Retirement

This chapter investigates the evolution of education, health, and pension policies from 2012 to 2018 in the People’s Republic of China (PRC). In the first three decades after the market-oriented reforms, rapid economic growth led to considerable social gains for the Chinese people. However, these benefits were not equally distributed across Chinese provinces. Specifically, disparities in access to education, health, and pension coverage were evident between coastal and inland regions. These inequalities were even more pronounced when comparing urban with rural areas. Amidst declining growth rates and population decline, the Xi Jinping era implemented several equalizing policies focusing on central and western regions. Using education and health infrastructure data for 31 provinces, and the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Survey (CHARLS), the chapter explores to what extent these policies have reduced social inequality in China. Furthermore, it identifies which provinces have an undersupply of education, health facilities, and pension coverage, and are at risk of entering development traps. The findings provide insights into the challenges facing the harmonious revival of the Chinese nation.