Steady Growth of Income

In 2000, all the counties in Jiangsu met the basic criteria for well-being and the rural area begun to take on a new look. The farmers’ income has kept growing steadily. In 2001, the average net income came up to 3,785 Yuan per rural inhabitant per year.

Living Standard

The farmers’ living expenditure is diversified, characterized with healthier diet and wider range of consumption. The expenditure for food among the rural residents has dropped to 42.6% of the income. There are 34.2 square meters of housing per rural resident, 121.5 television sets, 48.4 sets of washing machines, 22.4 sets of refrigerators per 100 households. Jiangsu has built an initial rural medicare network. The expectant life span is to improve notably.

Colorful Life

The cinemas, theaters and clubs have brought colorful life to the rural area. With mass participation, “painting townships”, “acrobat townships”, “martial art townships”, and “paper-cut townships” have come forth.

New Appearances

Jiangsu has quickened her pace in construction of small towns. The substantial improvement in rural roadwork, telecommunication, utility supply and living environment has pushed forward the overall development of rural economy and society. The rural urbanization and the merge of rural and urban area is gradually taking place.