The per capita annual disposable income of urban dwellers in Tibet is expected to reach 7,090 yuan (US$813) this year, higher than the national average rate.
The figure ranks seventh place in China, only after Shanghai, Beijing and Tianjin municipalities and Guangdong, Zhejiang and Fujian provinces, according to the latest regional survey.
Up to November of 2001, the expenditure of consumer goods by each urbanite averaged 5,446 yuan, some 2.3 times the 1990 figure.
The region now ranks first in China in per capita living space, at 19.86 square meters for every person. The majority of households have been equipped with refrigerators, color TVs and washing machines, and many have motorcycles.
A regional government official attributed the improved living standard in Tibet to fast economic growth and support from all parts of China.
The gross domestic product of Tibet grew at an annual rate of 11 percent for six successive years. It became sufficient in grain, edible oil and meat last year.
(Xinhua News Agency December 25, 2001)
