China's rapid economic growth has brought about double-digit growth in the incomes for urban residents this year, said a report of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences (CASS), a major government think tank.

The average per capita disposable income of urban residents is likely to increase by 10.5 percent this year and by 10 percent next year, said the CASS in analysis and forecast for 2007.

Rural residents are expected to see incomes up by 6.1 percent this year and 6 percent next year.

According to the National Development and Reform Commission, urban residents' per capita disposable income reached 5,997 yuan (US4749.6) in the first half of this year, an increase of 10.2 percent. The disposable incomes of rural residents was 1,797 yuan (US$224.6), up 11.9 percent.

The CASS report warned that China's serious unemployment situation is likely to continue next year, with more than 15 million urban people unable to find jobs and more than 100 million laborers in rural areas yet to be fully employed, widening the rural-urban income gap.

(Xinhua News Agency December 9, 2006)