40 years of achievements in economy in Harbin

Economy development process of Harbin

In the past 40 years, Harbin’s economic development experienced the following four stages:

The social adjustment stage (1978-1980)

The gross domestic product (GDP) of Harbin reached 4.57 billion yuan, with an average annual growth of 7.8 percent in three years. The per capita GDP increased from 505 yuan to 576 yuan, with an average annual growth of 5.4 percent in three years.

The steady growth stage (1981-1992) 

In 1992, Harbin’s GDP reached about 24.73 billion yuan and per capita GDP reached 2792 yuan (about $506.3 according to that year’s exchange rate). Harbin solved the problems of food and clothing for local residents.

The rapid growth stage (1993-2012): achieving overall well-off quality of life

Harbin’s GDP reached 400 billion yuan in 2011, which has maintained double-digit growth for 20 years. 

In 2012, Harbin’s GDP reached 455.02 billion yuan, with per capita GDP of 45,810 yuan, disposable income of urban and rural residents reaching 23,538.8 yuan and 9,468.9 yuan respectively and the Engel coefficient of urban and rural residents 32.9 percent and 39.4 percent respectively. Harbin successfully achieved overall well-off this year.

Quality of life development stage (2013- ): building a well-off middle-class socialist society

Accelerating the modernization of industry and promoting economic development.

In 2017, Harbin’s GDP reached 635.6 billion yuan with per capita GDP reaching 66,301 yuan. 

Economic output has expanded

Over the past 40 years, Harbin’s GDP has grown at an average annual rate of 10.7 percent per year, which is higher that the averages in China and Heilongjiang province by 2.2 percent and 1.2 percent respectively. Between 1993 and 2013, Harbin’s GDP sustained double-digit growth for 20 years (average annual rate of 12.7 percent).

In 2017, Harbin’s GDP reached 635.5 billion yuan, 161.8 times more than in 1978.

Over the past 40 years, per capita GDP increased from 505 yuan in 1978 to 66,301 yuan in 2017, 131.3 times higher than 1978 with an average annual growth rate of 10.1 percent.

Financial power is rising

Revenues in general public budgets of Harbin reached 720 million yuan, 10 billion yuan and 20 billion yuan respectively in 1978, 2006 and 2012. Revenues in general public budgets of 2017 reached 36.81 billion yuan, 51.1 times that of 1978 with an average annual growth of 10.6 percent.

Expenditures in general public budgets of Harbin reached 310 million yuan in 1978. In 2017, it reached 95.85 billion yuan, 309.2 times that of 1978 with an average annual growth of 15.8 percent. 

Industrial infrastructure has improved

The ratio between primary industry, secondary industry and tertiary industry was adjusted from 24.9:51.3:23.8 in 1978 to 10.8:28.7:60.5 in 2017. 

Compared with 1978, primary and secondary production decreased by 14.1 and 22.6 percentage points respectively, and the proportion of tertiary production increased by 36.7 percentage points.

The service economy gradually rose to a dominant position. 

In 2017, the added value of the tertiary industry accounted for 60.5 percent of GDP, 36.7 percent higher than that in 1978, and the service industry contributed 76.0 percent to economic growth.

Consumer infrastructure improving

Total retail sales of consumer goods maintained an average annual growth rate of 15 percent over 40 years. 

Since 2000, the annual growth of sales of automobiles, gold and silver jewelry, petroleum and petroleum products in large retail locations has remained above 30%. Since 2015, wholesale and retail sales have increased by more than 60% annually. 

Export infrastructure being improved

The proportion of general trade as part of total import and export volume in the city increased from 68.3 percent in 1999 to 82 percent in 2017.

The export structure has gradually changed from primary and low value-added products, such as agricultural, light textile products, to high value-added products such as electromechanical products and high-tech products.

In 2017, the total value of import and export reached $3.35 billion, which was 27.2 times that of 1987 with an average annual growth rate of 11.6 percent. 

Total exports increased from $90 million to $1.45 billion. In 2017, the proportion mechanical and electrical products and high-tech products as part of the city's exports reached 48.7 percent and 9.7 percent respectively.

In 2017, Harbin has established trade contacts with 146 countries and regions.

Remarkable achievements in the reform of the distribution system

The average annual wage of on-post staffs and workers increased from 710 yuan in 1978 to 67,542 yuan in 2017, 95.1 times that of 1978, an average annual increase of 12.4%.