(Yicai Global) July 31 -- The per capita disposable income of Chinese residents rose 8.7 percent in the first half of this year, reaching CNY14,000 (USD2,000), compared with 6.6 percent growth last year, with salary levels driving the increase.

The eastern economic powerhouse of Shanghai topped an income ranking released by the National Bureau with a per capita disposable income of CNY32,600, followed by capital Beijing (CNY31,000), Zhejiang province, (CNY24,000) and the municipality of Tianjin (CNY21,000).

These regions, along with Jiangsu, Guangdong, Fujian, Liaoning and Shandong provinces, had per capita disposable incomes higher than the national average.

Disposable income refers to the total amount of income that residents can spend on consumption or put aside as savings. It includes both cash income and physical income. Disposable income can be divided into four categories based on its source: salaries, net operating income, net property income, and net transfer income.

Per capita salaries, the key driver of growth, reached CNY8,000 in the first six months, making up over half of per capita disposable income. Per capita salaries grew 8.8 percent in the first half compared to a year ago.

Editor: William Clegg