Updated 25 October 2026
Quick answer: In China in 2026, the minimum wage is ¥2,740/month (about $411 a month full time); mortgage rates are about 3.5%; the state pension age is ~60 y 4 m men; ~55 y 4 m / 50 y 8 m women. The table below puts 7 everyday money measures for China side by side and ranks each one against the other countries in our data, using official figures from national statistics offices, central banks, the OECD and Eurostat.
Against the other countries in our data, China stands out here: its minimum wage, ¥2,740/month (≈ $411/month), is the 6th lowest of 38 countries. It sits nearer the middle for 2027 pay-rise forecast and mortgage rate. It has no inheritance tax for children.
China at a Glance
| Measure | China | Rank |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum wage | ¥2,740/month (≈ $411/month) | 6th lowest of 38 |
| Pay rise forecast 2027 | 4.3% | 11th highest of 29 |
| Mortgage rate | 3.5% (5-year LPR, Oct 2026) | 13th lowest of 31 |
| State pension age | ~60 y 4 m men; ~55 y 4 m / 50 y 8 m women | 8th lowest of 39 |
| Pension (share of pay) | 103.6% of net pay | Highest of 50 |
| Bank deposit protection | ¥500,000 (RMB) per person, per bank | — |
| Inheritance tax (children) | None | — |
Rank compares China with the other countries in each dataset; "highest" means the largest value. "—" means the measure isn't ranked.
Minimum Wage in China (2026)
The legal minimum wage in China is ¥2,740/month. For a month of full-time work that is about $411 at current exchange rates, 6th lowest of 38 countries in our comparison. Highest provincial rate; set by province.
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Pay Rises in China: 2027 Forecast
Employers in China expect to raise salaries by 4.3% in 2027 (median of the major pay surveys), after 4.2% in 2026.
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Mortgage Rates in China (2026)
The typical mortgage rate in China is 3.5% (5-year LPR, Oct 2026), 13th lowest of 31 countries.
The loan prime rate that mortgages are priced from, unchanged for 17 months; many new mortgages are priced below it.
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Retirement Age in China
The state pension age in China is ~60 y 4 m men; ~55 y 4 m / 50 y 8 m women for people reaching it in 2026; the earliest you can claim is —. Future change: 63 men; 58 / 55 women by 2040. Rising by about one month every four months (every two months for women blue-collar workers) since January 2025.
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How Much the State Pension Pays in China
A full-career average earner in China can expect a mandatory pension worth about 103.6% of their previous net pay, the most generous of 50 countries we compare (OECD average 63.2%). Low earner (half the average wage): 130%. High earner (twice the average): 91%.
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How Much of Your Money Is Protected in China
Bank deposits in China are protected up to ¥500,000 (RMB) per depositor, per bank (about $75,000), under the Deposit insurance fund scheme. Principal and interest. Money in payment apps and e-money wallets is usually not covered.
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Inheritance Tax in China
China has no inheritance tax for children.
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China vs Australia, India and Japan
The same measures for China and its nearest neighbours in our data, side by side.
| Measure | China | Australia | India | Japan |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum wage | ¥2,740/month (≈ $411/month) | A$26.44/hour (≈ $3,058/month) | ₹178/day (national floor) (≈ $49/month) | ¥1,177/hour (average) (≈ $1,301/month) |
| Pay rise forecast 2027 | 4.3% | 3.3% (inflation 4.0%) | 8.9% (inflation 5.5%) | 3.0% (inflation 1.7%) |
| Mortgage rate | 3.5% (5-year LPR, Oct 2026) | 6.49% (average variable, Oct 2026) | 7.25% (bank home loans, 2026) | 1.45% (variable rate, Oct 2026) |
| State pension age | ~60 y 4 m men; ~55 y 4 m / 50 y 8 m women | 67 (Age Pension) | 58 (EPS pension) | 65 |
| Pension (share of pay) | 103.6% of net pay | 53% of net pay | 44.6% of net pay | 42.4% of net pay |
| Bank deposit protection | ¥500,000 (RMB) per person, per bank | A$250,000 per person, per bank | ₹5 lakh (₹500,000) per person, per bank | ¥10 million plus interest per person, per bank |
| Inheritance tax (children) | None | None | None | top rate 55% |
Compare China With Other Countries
See every country side by side in Compare Countries 2026: Wages, Tax, Mortgages and Pensions, or compare China with nearby countries in our data: Australia, India, Japan, New Zealand and South Korea.
Related Guides
Figures checked against the official sources listed in each linked guide in October 2026. Exchange-rate conversions are approximate. This page is for information and isn't financial or legal advice.
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