Panel Data Measurement on Per-Capita Economic Growth of Western Cities and Theoretic Analysis

Western-China cities are on the period of fast and stable growth.To measure Western cities' economic development level and growth trend,per capita budgetary income,per capita GDP and correspondent annual growth index are applied.Per capita budgetary income and per capita GDP are used as the two indicative parameters of economic development level.Per capita budgetary income is the ranking criterion of cities,since it has more strict restriction in public economy.Based on the data of population,local budgetary income,and local GDP in the period of 1998-2007,48 cities are divided into three groups as the objects of panel data measurement.The contribution rate of per capita GDP to per capita budgetary income,the annual growth rate of per capita budgetary income,and the annual rate of per capita GDP are measured.The results indicate that,the annual growth of per capita budgetary income,the contribution rate of per capita GDP to per capita budgetary income are positive benign indicator of urban economic development.Yet the positiveness of annual growth rate of per capita GDP needs careful analysis based on particular situations.Research indicates that,the scale economy in western-China cities has two forms: super large cities exploited the advantages of the scale economy of the scale of public services,while the medium-sized cities would exploit the scale economy of dominant dominant industries.There are great differences on economic development level among western-China cities.Cities with comparatively lower development level should adjust the growth strategy,and need corresponding public policy support.