The other Side of the Chinese Economic Miracle

Despite the financial crisis still sinking the world economy, China's GDP growth rate in 2010 reached 10 percent, continuing the great momentum maintained since the 1980s. This is often referred to as the Chinese economic miracle. While many marvel at and try to mystify the miracle, the other side of the miracle is less than miraculous. Compared with the period of its planned economy between the 1950s and 1970s, in the ensuing three decades, China has undergone slower progress in major health indicators, and this has been accompanied by an ailing health care system. This report presents a portrait of China's underdevelopment of health and its health care system, with up-to-date statistics. Such information is important for a fuller, more balanced, and more accurate view of the Chinese economic miracle.