从托底到赋能 “投资于人”擦亮经济发展民生底色

Core Viewpoint - The article emphasizes the strategic shift in China's economic policy towards "investing in people," which aims to enhance the quality of life and stimulate domestic consumption through various social welfare initiatives [1][6]. Summary by Sections Social Welfare Investments - In 2025, China will increase investments in core social security areas such as pensions and medical insurance, with a 2% increase in basic pensions for retirees, marking the 21st consecutive year of pension increases [2]. - The per capita financial subsidy for urban and rural residents' medical insurance will rise by 30 yuan, reaching 700 yuan per person annually, alleviating the burden of medical expenses [2]. Fiscal Policy and Management - The fiscal policy for 2025 includes a historic increase in the general public budget deficit ratio to 4%, up by 1 percentage point from the previous year, and the issuance of 1.3 trillion yuan in special long-term bonds to support social welfare [2][3]. - Expenditures on social security, employment, education, and health have outpaced overall budget growth, with social security and employment spending increasing by 9.3% year-on-year [2]. Consumer Confidence and Spending - The "investment in people" strategy is expected to boost consumer confidence, with a consumer willingness index rising to 112.9, the highest in five quarters [5]. - The elderly care and childcare policies are designed to reduce household financial burdens, encouraging increased consumer spending [4]. Economic Growth and Structural Changes - The article highlights a shift from traditional social safety nets to strategic investments in human capital, indicating that future competition will focus on population quality and labor capabilities [3][6]. - The integration of "investment in material" and "investment in people" is anticipated to enhance domestic circulation and foster new growth drivers [7]. Future Outlook - Experts predict that the "investment in people" approach will enter a new phase in 2026, focusing on support for vulnerable groups and improving the social security system [6]. - Recommendations include building a robust guarantee system to reduce household risk exposure and creating a lifecycle policy framework for social welfare [6].