(Yicai Global) July 22 -- Disposable incomes in China grew almost 5 percent in the first half before adjusting for inflation.

In the six months ended June 30, per-person disposable income rose 4.7 percent from a year ago to CNY18,463 (USD2,730) in 31 administrative regions, the National Bureau of Statistics revealed yesterday.

This year has been marked by lockdowns so the addition can surprise some. The fundamentals of China’s labor market were generally stable in the first half despite the ups and downs caused by the Covid-19 pandemic, Wang Pingping, head of the population and employment department at the NBS, said a few days ago.

Beijing residents had the biggest amount of money available for spending and saving after paying their taxes. Disposable incomes in the capital city climbed 3.3 percent to CNY39,400. Shanghai was No. 2 as incomes averaged at CNY39,000, down 3.4 percent.

But growth was faster elsewhere. The Tibet Autonomous Region in western China recorded an increase of more than 10 percent in disposable incomes to exceed CNY10,000. Moreover, nine regions and cities surpassed the national average. These included Zhejiang, Jiangsu, Tianjin, Guangdong, Fujian, Shandong, and Chongqing.

Work contributed more than half of personal earnings across the country. Salaries rose 4.7 percent to CNY10,576, making up 57 percent of disposable incomes.

Residents have been enjoying widened financial support amid the pandemic. In the first half, social benefits, insurance claims, and other types of transfers such as gifts increased by 5.6 percent to CNY3,382 (USD500).

These above-mentioned transfers reinforced the increase in residents’ incomes, ensuring their livelihood, said Fang Xiaodan, director of the bureau's household survey department.

Editor: Emmi Laine, Xiao Yi