Under the curremt global economic climate you would be surprised. http://endoftheamericandream.com/ar...eat-down-busted-and-disgusted-by-this-economy From the global news sources I read on a daily basis china is starting to export labor to Africa. If this is actually occuring it means that their middle class population is growing very quickly. Other economic and cultural indicators show that westernization is taking hold and the consumer economy is still vibrant. The main difference between china and the rest of the world is the use of credit. There is still a high aversion to consumer credit card use. Akuma
Actually. I'd suggest your average Joe Sixpack has about $5,000 liquid and some equity in his home (if any). He's thinks he's going to retire.
You are comparing apples and oranges. USD 2,000 buys a lot more in China, esp in rural China where the poor resides. Also the Chinese elderly parents can turn to their adult children, and young adults can turn to their parents or other family in times of need.
The Chinese iPhone assembly workers, the German auto workers, and your local bartender thank you for not letting them starve. Also the truck drivers, salesmen, middle management, miners, farmers..