Handbook on Inequality in China

This comprehensive Handbook addresses a wide range of issues concerning inequality in contemporary China and its recent past. It covers diverse forms of inequality faced by Chinese citizens, from wage and income disparities to employment, education, the role of social insurance and public revenues. Björn Gustafsson and Xiuna Yang bring together a range of leading specialists from China and the wider global community to discuss the country's profound transformation since the late 1980s. They outline how China has transitioned from a low-income country to an upper middle-income country, illustrating its shift from a planned economy to one in which the state plays a considerably smaller role. Contributing authors explore China's rapid urbanization and the impact of this on living standards and the wellbeing of citizens. The Handbook also examines educational access and child inequality, delving into recent policies on housing as well as trends in household wealth, health and happiness. The Handbook on Inequality in China is a vital resource for students and academics in sociology and Chinese studies. Policymakers will greatly benefit from its breadth of research into the economic complexities of life in contemporary China.