Nothing to do with official stats, but I figure, back of the envelop style, say urban population is 200 million, with 0.1% being US$ millionaires or 200,000, and say the small but growing middle class earning US$ 15 k per year, mostly disposable (cost of living is low, purchasing parity wise) numbering 100 fold that, thus numbering 20 mm. Basically equalling a fair size European country (say England). Set the growth rate of this bunch at 10% per annum, controlling a mountain of cheap but wise labour. Apartment sales rate in the cities indicate that there are many folks purchasing US$ 30-50k starter homes on 5-7 year mortgages. Lots of PC sales not ignorable by any company. Annual sales of PC is now above 4.5 million units per year, growing at 45% per annum.
Observation by unscientific Jay is that a bunch of folks are actually fabulously wealthy by global standard, though hidden from the authorities. |
