民生大国建设关键在于“投资于人”

Core Viewpoint - The article emphasizes the importance of "investing in people" as a key strategy for China's modernization, transitioning from a manufacturing powerhouse to a consumer and welfare-oriented economy, which is essential for meeting the needs of its 1.4 billion citizens [2] Investment in Human Capital - "Investing in people" is identified as a core lever to enhance investment efficiency, with the potential to create a multiplier effect that exceeds the initial capital investment [2] - The contribution of human capital to economic growth has surpassed that of physical capital, highlighting the need for continuous improvement in labor quality and educational attainment [3][6] - The World Bank indicates that a one-year increase in labor education can boost GDP by 9%, underscoring the economic benefits of enhancing educational levels [3] Healthcare Investment - A comprehensive investment of 80 trillion to 100 trillion yuan is required to improve and guarantee livelihoods, with a specific recommendation for an annual investment of 5 trillion yuan to achieve basic healthcare equality between urban and rural areas [3][4] - The personal contribution to urban and rural residents' medical insurance has increased from 10 yuan in 2008 to 380 yuan in 2023, a 37-fold rise, leading to a decline in insured individuals by approximately 20 million from 2022 to 2023 [5] - To alleviate the financial burden on rural residents, it is suggested to reduce the personal insurance payment from 380 yuan to 160 yuan, requiring an annual fiscal input of 150 billion yuan [5] Education Funding - The average expected years of education in China is 15.2 years, which is lower than OECD countries by 1.4 years, indicating a need for increased educational investment [6] - Public education funding as a percentage of GDP was only 4.01% in 2022, which is below several other countries, suggesting a need for increased investment in education [6] - An estimated investment of 500 billion yuan annually is needed to universalize high school education, with potential cost reductions if existing vocational schools are repurposed [6] Support for Childbearing - An annual investment of 2 trillion to 3 trillion yuan is recommended to enhance the childbearing support system, addressing the high costs associated with raising children in China [7] - The average intended number of children per woman in 2021 was 1.64, below the replacement level, indicating a need to lower the comprehensive costs of child-rearing to improve birth rates [7]