The Occupational Structure of Late Imperial China, 1734 – 1898

Based on the Xingke Tiben (刑科題本 Board of Punishments Routine Memorials), Cheng Yang of Renmin University of China assesses the long-run economic development of China, by constructing a new estimate of the male occupational structure during 1734 – 1898 by sector, sub-sector pattern, and region. After assessing the source’s biases, using this new empirical basis, he demonstrates that the national male occupational structure was nearly identical in 1761 – 70, 1821 – 30, and 1881 – 90, suggesting a long-lasting structural stasis of the national economy, allowing for fluctuations between benchmark dates. Within agriculture, substantial regional differences in labour organisation are revealed.

In this Quantitative History Webinar, Cheng Yang will present the three distinct models found in his study: the Northern Regions model features a high usage of wage labour, the Yangtze Valley model presents a high level of tenancy development, and the Southern Regions model displays the highest share of landowners. All three models saw increasing use of wage labour in 1761 – 1890 and shrinking landownership in 1821 – 90. At the regional level, the long-run estimate for Lower Yangtze suggests that the region as a whole stagnated throughout the entire period, but the overall structural stasis hides dynamic, contrasting long-run economic change between the region’s core and peripheral areas. Comparative analysis with England further suggests that the timing of the Great Divergence between China and England took place before 1734, even in the context of the regional difference.

Discussant: Debin Ma, Professor of Economic History, University of Oxford [Areas of Excellence (AoE) QH project team member]

Webinar replay will not be made available, so don’t miss out on this live event.