The distribution of land in rural China

Abstract

The article contains data on landholdings from a nationwide sample survey of 10,258 rural households in China in 1988. Analysis of the data reveals that the distribution of land in physical units is relatively equal by international standards and that the distribution of land value is exceptionally equal. Moreover, the distribution of landed wealth compensates for inequalities in the distribution of other rural assets and as a consequence the distribution of total wealth is remarkably equal. However, land is not an important determinant of income. The landless are not necessarily poor nor are the large landholders necessarily rich.