China Social Science Review

No.4, 2023

Evolution and Implications of National Wealth Measurement Methods in Modern China

(Abstract)

Miao Degang

How to realize wealth growth is a common concern of economic thinkers in almost every era. A comprehensive search of relevant literature helps us systematically summarize the evolution path of national wealth indicators and their measurement methods in modern China. Among them, the adoption of the stock indicator “national wealth” is related to the discussion of national wealth growth, while the use of the flow indicator “national income” originates from the problem of national wealth reproduction. Based on the historical background of modern China, the answer to the real problems faced in different periods of time is the driving force for the change of economic analysis methods. In this sense, it is worthwhile to consider the real nature of the changes in economic thought in a case-by-case manner, and the summarization and refinement of the methods of economic analysis should also be emphasized.