ABSTRACT
That proportion declined significantly in the second half of the century. Since 1949, China has undergone a remarkable process of industrialisation and urbanisation, both in the age of the planned economy of 1949-78 and in the reform era that followed. At the start of the twenty-fi rst century, Chinese society is changing rapidly and, as a result of industrialisation and migration, the rural economy today probably employs less than 60 per cent of the total population. If the present government’s plans for economic development are carried through, this proportion will continue to decrease.
