Explanatory Notes on Main Statistical Indicators

Development Rate   is a relative indicator that reflects the development extends of a certain indicator in a certain period. It is calculated by comparing the level of report period to the level of base period, and is expressed with percentage. Namely to set the value of base period for 1 (or 100%), the development rate equals to multiply the quotient that the indicator valve in report period comparing to base period by 100%. Development rate can be classified into fixed-base development rate and chain-base development rate. The formula is:

Development Rate = (Value of Indicator in Report Period / Value of Indicator in Base Period)×100%

Growth Rate  is a indicator that reflects the growth extend of social economy, and is calculated by growth level of report period to base period. The formula is:

Growth Rate = (Value of Indicator in Report Period/ Value of Indicator in Base Period - 1) ×100%

or :

=Development Rate –1 (or 100%)

Average Annual Growth Rate　Two methods for calculating average annual growth rate are applied in China, one is often called level approach or the method of calculating geometric average, which is derived by comparing the level of the last year of the interval with that of the beginning year; the other is called “accumulative approach” or algebraic average or equation method, which is derived by the summation of the actual figure of each year in the interval divided by the figure in the base year.

Usually the results calculated by the two methods are fairly close, but they differed sharply when uneven economic development occurred with striking fluctuation in growth.

The average annual growth rates listed in this statistical yearbook are calculated by “level approach”. The base year are not listed when the year are listed for average annual growth rates. For instance, the average annual growth rate of 24 years since 1981 is listed as average annual growth rate of 1981-2004, among which 1980 is the base year and 2004 is the reference year.

Current Price  refers to the actual price in the reference period. The quantum indicators calculated in accordance with actual prices in current year can reflect the actual situation in the reference year. It can be used to check the social economic effect, and to carry though economic accounting and comprehensive balance during production, circulation, distribution and consumption.

Comparable Price  also called fixed price. It is applied when comparing indicators of value over time to reflect accurately the changes in real them. Two methods are used for calculating comparable prices: (1) multiplying the output of products by their constant prices of certain year; (2) conversion of the data in current prices by relevant price index.

Constant Price  refers to the average price of a given product in certain year, which is used for comparison of output value over time. As the output value at constant prices removes the factor of price changes, it reflects the trend of production development over time.

Index  Index is a kind of relative indicator that reflects the trends of social economic phenomena, and is usually expressed with percentage. Using indexes can determine the whole trend of social economic phenomena that cannot be added up or compared directly; can analysis the degree of various factors impacting during the whole variation of social economic phenomena; and also can research the actions of levels and general construction movements of groups of indicators during the variation of total average indicator. It is calculated on the converting relation that fixed cardinal number equal to the continues product of corresponding chain index, when the output value in various years has been converted into comparable prices. 

All of the indexes of GDP listed in this yearbook are calculated at comparable prices. The situation of output value growth in certain years can be calculated by comparing term indexes (fixed base indexes that set annual data =100) directly. For instance, the GDP in 2000 as the percentage of in 1980 can be calculated by multiplying index of 2000 to index of 1980 listed in table, and this method by analogy apply to others.

Various Plan Periods　The years represented by the various “periods” in tables of this yearbook are as follows: First Five-year Plan Period refers to 1953-1957; Second Five-year Plan Period refers to 1958-1962; Third Five-year Plan Period refers to 1966-1970; Fourth Five-year Plan Period refers to 1971-1975; Fifth Five-year Plan Period refers to 1976-1980; Sixth Five-year Plan Period refers to 1981-1985; Seventh Five-year Plan Period refers to 1986-1990; Eighth Five-year Plan Period refers to 1991-1995; Ninth Five-year Plan Period refers to 1996-2000; and Tenth Five-year Plan Period refers to 2001-2005; and Eleventh Five-year plan period refers to 2006-2010.