Journal of Economic Literature
ISSN 0022-0515 (Print) | ISSN 2328-8175 (Online)
The Chinese Saving Puzzle and the Life-Cycle Hypothesis
Journal of Economic Literature
(pp. 145–170)
Abstract
China's per capita income ranks below 100th in the world. Its saving rate, however, has been one of the highest worldwide in recent decades. In this paper, we attempt to explain the seeming paradox within the framework of the Life-Cycle Hypothesis developed by Franco Modigliani. The key LCH variables are income and population growth. Our results based on data we put together from official sources show that income growth has been the dominant factor behind the dramatic increase in China's saving rate, as predicted by the LCH. Demographic structure and inflation also had significant impact on the fluctuations of the saving rate.Citation
Modigliani, Franco, and Shi Larry Cao. 2004. "The Chinese Saving Puzzle and the Life-Cycle Hypothesis." Journal of Economic Literature 42 (1): 145–170. DOI: 10.1257/002205104773558074JEL Classification
- D91 Intertemporal Household Choice; Life Cycle Models and Saving
- E21 Macroeconomics: Consumption; Saving; Wealth
- O16 Economic Development: Financial Markets; Saving and Capital Investment; Corporate Finance and Governance
- P24 Socialist Systems and Transitional Economies: National Income, Product, and Expenditure; Money; Inflation
- P36 Socialist Institutions and Their Transitions: Consumer Economics; Health; Education and Training: Welfare, Income, Wealth, and Poverty