国泰海通：从美日看中国消费潜力

Core Insights - Current per capita GDP in China is comparable to the levels of the late 1970s in the US and early 1980s in Japan, indicating significant potential for growth in the consumption market as it surpasses the $10,000 threshold [1] - The transition from goods consumption to service and cultural consumption will create numerous investment opportunities, driven by a large domestic market and ongoing consumption upgrades [1] Comparison of Economic and Consumption Markets - The US has the largest GDP and consumption market globally, characterized by a relatively young population, high income levels, and a tendency towards advanced and credit consumption [1] - Japan faces challenges from an aging population, leading to more rational consumer behavior focused on high cost-performance ratios, with a slower economic growth rate [1] - China, with a population of 1.4 billion, has a vast domestic market with continuous growth in retail sales, but lower per capita disposable income and consumption tendencies, suggesting significant room for improvement and potential in consumption upgrades and lower-tier markets [1] Historical Context of Service Consumption - In the 1970s, the US entered a phase where service consumption surpassed goods consumption, with the share of service spending increasing from 50.7% in 1970 to an estimated 68.5% in 2024 [2] - This shift led to a decline in spending on goods such as food, clothing, and automobiles, while expenditures on health care, financial insurance, and cultural entertainment surged, driving employment growth in the service sector [2] Japan's Consumption Shift - In the early 1980s, Japan's per capita GDP exceeded $10,000, marking a transition from goods to higher-level service consumption, with a focus on experiences and satisfaction [3] - By 1994, service consumption in Japan surpassed goods consumption for the first time, maintaining around 60% share thereafter, establishing the service sector as a key driver of GDP growth [3]