Housing tops urbanites´ worries

cctv.com 02-24-2006 13:34

What makes Chinese citizens toss and turn at night? A recent poll in 16 major Chinese cities shows that housing, education and jobs are the main worries of urban residents. These are the issues they would like to be addressed by the country's top legislators when they meet next month.

According to the poll, nearly four in five respondents said they were worried about rising house prices and poor service provided by property management companies.

Urban real estate prices have seen a rapid rise in recent years. Figures from the World Bank show that housing prices worldwide are equivalent to five to seven years' household income, but in China it is 11 years' earnings.

Meanwhile, about three in five are concerned about limited job opportunities. Despite a record 11 million job openings this year, 14 million urbanites including those entering the job market, laid-off workers and migrants from rural areas might end up with no employment. The pollsters said the laid-off, disabled people and fresh university graduates would find it most difficult to find jobs.

As tuition fees continue to rise in educational institutions, nearly three in five surveyed complained about the increasing cost. High medical expenses, rising inequality, personal safety, financial fraud and the rule of law are also listed as major worries. The country's 11th Five Year plan is listed as the 12th hottest topic among nearly a-third of urban residents.

Editor:Chen Zhuo  Source:CCTV.com