促消费进入新阶段，18万亿服务消费潜能如何进一步释放？

Core Viewpoint - The Chinese government is focusing on boosting consumption, particularly in the service sector, as a key economic strategy to adapt to changing consumer behavior and external uncertainties [1][3][5]. Group 1: Government Initiatives - In June, the People's Bank of China and other ministries issued guidelines to support consumption, emphasizing service consumption in areas like home services, elderly care, and cultural tourism [1]. - A new policy was introduced to provide 500 billion yuan in loans aimed at enhancing service consumption and supporting the elderly care sector, effective until the end of 2027 [9]. Group 2: Consumption Trends - In the first five months of 2024, retail sales of goods grew by 5.1% year-on-year, while service retail sales showed a slower growth of 5.2%, indicating a shift in consumer spending patterns [1][3]. - The average per capita service consumption expenditure in China is projected to reach 13,000 yuan in 2024, translating to a total service consumption expenditure of 18.3 trillion yuan nationwide [1]. Group 3: Economic Context - Analysts suggest that as the effectiveness of the "old-for-new" consumption subsidy policy diminishes, service consumption will become the primary driver for consumption growth in the latter half of the year [3]. - China's per capita GDP has surpassed 13,000 USD, indicating a transition towards a service-oriented consumption structure, similar to trends observed in developed countries [5][6]. Group 4: Challenges and Opportunities - Despite the growth in service consumption, there remains a significant gap compared to developed nations, with service consumption accounting for only 45.2% of total consumption in China, compared to 54.3% in the US and South Korea [6]. - Factors limiting service consumption include disposable income levels and social security systems, suggesting that improvements in these areas could enhance consumer confidence and spending [7][8]. Group 5: Recommendations for Growth - Analysts recommend increasing disposable income through job creation and enhancing social security, such as raising pension benefits, to stimulate service consumption [7]. - There is a call for targeted policies, such as consumption vouchers and subsidies, to specifically encourage service consumption, which is currently lagging behind goods consumption [8].