Wage Growth and Consumption Dynamics - Japan's wage growth reached its highest level in 33 years during the 2024 spring labor negotiations, yet consumption recovery lags behind income growth[1] - Approximately 70% of respondents indicated they would increase consumption if their income rises, highlighting the importance of sustained wage growth over one-time bonuses[2] - Despite rising wages, about 40% of households expect their income to remain unchanged over the next five years, reflecting a lack of confidence in future income growth[2] Consumer Behavior and Inflation Expectations - High inflation has suppressed consumer confidence, with many households feeling that price increases outpace wage growth, particularly in essential goods like food[2] - Nearly 20% of respondents expect prices to rise by over 20% in the coming year, with around 50% anticipating increases of more than 10%[2] - The perception of rising prices is negatively correlated with consumer sentiment, leading to increased savings behavior among households[3] Savings Trends and Future Uncertainty - The proportion of individuals feeling their savings are "completely insufficient" rose from 30.1% in 2019 to 35.8% in 2025, indicating growing financial anxiety[3] - The share of savings designated for retirement increased from 46.3% to 53.6%, while "no specific purpose" savings surged from 6.7% to 22.9%[3] - Households with a "precautionary savings" motive exhibit significantly higher savings rates, averaging about 1% more than those without such motives[3] Structural Issues in Consumption - The average consumption propensity has shown a long-term decline, particularly among dual-income households, which now make up about 40% of all households[1] - Factors contributing to the decline in consumption include rising homeownership rates, unstable income expectations, and increasing concerns about retirement[1] - The overall consumption trend remains below pre-pandemic levels, with structural issues in the labor market exacerbating the situation[1]

Core Viewpoint - The article discusses the introduction of two new subsidy policies aimed at boosting consumer spending and economic growth in China, reflecting a strategic shift towards enhancing fiscal and financial collaboration to stimulate consumption and address economic challenges [2][3]. Summary by Sections Policy Implementation - The "Two Subsidy" policies, which include personal consumption loan interest subsidies and service industry loan interest subsidies, represent a significant move by the central government to promote consumption as a key driver of economic growth [2]. - These policies aim to maximize the multiplier effect of public financial resources and are seen as proactive measures to explore the boundaries of economic development [2][3]. Current Economic Challenges - There is a notable decline in consumer willingness and ability to spend, as evidenced by negative new credit data reported by the central bank, indicating a lack of confidence among consumers [3]. - In July, household loans decreased by 489.3 billion yuan, with short-term and medium-to-long-term loans also showing significant reductions, reflecting a broader trend of reduced borrowing and spending [2][3]. Consumer Behavior Insights - The reluctance to incur debt for consumption is attributed to concerns about future job security and income stability, particularly in light of advancements in AI technology and a shrinking job market [3]. - Additionally, a significant increase in household savings, totaling 9.66 trillion yuan in the first seven months, suggests a shift towards precautionary savings in response to economic uncertainties [3]. Recommendations for Policy Effectiveness - To ensure the effective implementation of the "Two Subsidy" policies, it is crucial to create an environment that enhances market demand elasticity [4]. - This includes fostering a fair employment environment and improving social security systems to alleviate consumer anxieties about the future, thereby encouraging spending [4][5]. Conclusion - The "Two Subsidy" policies are positioned as a new lever for enhancing consumer spending and economic growth, with the potential to transform consumer demand into actionable economic activity [5]. - By addressing underlying consumer concerns and improving the overall economic environment, these policies could significantly impact the effectiveness of consumption as a growth driver [5].

Group 1 - The core viewpoint of the articles highlights a significant increase in household deposits in China, with a balance exceeding 162.02 trillion yuan in the first half of 2025, marking a surge of 10.77 trillion yuan and a growth rate of 7.42% compared to the beginning of the year [2] - The household loan balance increased by only 1.17 trillion yuan to 84 trillion yuan, resulting in a historical peak of "net deposits" reaching 78.02 trillion yuan [2] - The continuous growth of household savings is not a short-term phenomenon, as data shows that from 2017 to 2022, the deposit scale of major state-owned banks rose from 79.31 trillion yuan to 119.24 trillion yuan, with a compound annual growth rate of 8.5% [2] Group 2 - In contrast to the expanding deposit scale, China is experiencing a new round of declining deposit interest rates, with the benchmark interest rate for demand deposits at 0.35% and the three-year fixed deposit rate at 2.75% as of February 2023 [3] - Starting from May 20, 2025, many banks initiated a rate cut, reducing the demand deposit rate from 0.10% to 0.05%, a decrease of 50% [3] - The increase in household deposits, which accounted for nearly 60% of the total deposit increment, indicates a preference for saving over investment or consumption, reflecting a decline in risk appetite and an increase in precautionary savings [3][4] Group 3 - The rising proportion of household deposits and the declining proportion of non-financial corporate deposits are attributed to weakened consumer and housing purchase intentions, leading to an enhanced tendency to save [4] - The cautious behavior of households and the increase in precautionary savings are further emphasized by the decline in corporate revenues, resulting in weak deposit growth for enterprises [4]

Group 1 - M2 (broad money) balance reached 330.29 trillion yuan at the end of June, with a year-on-year growth of 8.3%, indicating a stable monetary environment [3] - M1 (narrow money) balance was 113.95 trillion yuan, with a growth rate of only 4.6%, suggesting a slowdown in economic activity and a preference for long-term investments over short-term liquidity [3][4] - The increase in cash (M0) by 12% and a net cash injection of 363.3 billion yuan in the first half of the year indicates a resurgence in offline consumption and a preventive cash-holding behavior among residents [5][6] Group 2 - The data reflects three key signals: 1. Corporate confidence is recovering, but short-term funding needs remain weak due to uncertain orders and policy outlook [7] 2. Residents maintain a "precautionary savings" mindset, with significant increases in deposits but minimal growth in loans, reflecting cautious consumer behavior [8] 3. Government bond net financing reached 7.66 trillion yuan in the first half, indicating a strong fiscal policy focus on infrastructure and social projects, while monetary policy remains supportive [9] Group 3 - Investment strategies should focus on sectors benefiting from government support, such as new infrastructure and high-end manufacturing, as well as recovering consumer sectors like retail and tourism [10][11] - Companies that are willing to invest in long-term loans are likely upgrading technology or exploring new markets, making their R&D investments a key area for analysis [12]

Core Insights - China's consumption growth is significantly lagging behind its large population and economic growth, raising questions about the underlying reasons for this consumption shortfall [1][2][4] Group 1: Current State of Consumption in China - The definition and measurement of consumption shortfall are established, with China's resident consumption rate at 37.2% in 2022, significantly lower than the global average of 53.8% [2][3] - The final consumption rate for China in 2023 is reported at 55.64%, which is still below the approximately 80% seen in developed countries [3] - A notable slowdown in consumption growth is observed, with a projected 3.5% increase in retail sales for 2024, contrasting sharply with historical growth rates that often exceeded 8% [2][4] Group 2: Multi-Dimensional Analysis of Consumption Shortfall - Low consumption propensity is identified as a core issue, with China's consumption propensity at 62% in 2022, compared to an average of 92.3% across 38 countries [6][8] - High housing prices contribute to consumer debt, with urban residents' real estate debt reaching 137.9% of household income, limiting their consumption capacity [9] - Income inequality is highlighted, with the top income group accounting for 46% of total income, leading to lower overall consumption rates [10] - An inadequate social security system is noted as a fundamental cause of low consumption, with high contribution rates and limited coverage increasing financial burdens on households [11] - Traditional consumption culture emphasizes saving over spending, which continues to influence consumer behavior [12] Group 3: Consumption Differences Across Demographics and Regions - Significant consumption behavior differences exist among income groups, with middle-income households contributing nearly 50% of total consumption [13] - Generational differences in consumption attitudes are emerging, particularly among the Z generation, who exhibit distinct purchasing behaviors [17][18] - Regional consumption disparities are noted, with consumption in central regions expanding while eastern and western regions show a trend towards balance [19] Group 4: International Comparisons and Lessons - China's service consumption accounts for approximately 46% of total spending, lower than that of the US (68.5%) and Japan (57.7%), indicating room for structural improvement [20][21] - Successful international experiences in enhancing consumption rates suggest that comprehensive policies are needed to boost service consumption and overall consumer confidence [22] Group 5: Future Consumption Trends - Predictions indicate that by 2030, service consumption levels in China could exceed 20,000 yuan, positioning it as a key growth driver [25][27] - The expansion of the middle-income group, projected to surpass 50% of the population by 2030, is expected to significantly enhance consumption potential [27]