Is Customary Consumption an Obstacle to Sustainable Livelihoods for Low-Income Rural Households? Evidence from a Survey in China's Ethnic Minority Areas

Jinzi Qubi; Pengfei Zhao

doi:10.47297/wspdecWSP2515-797315.20261005

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Is Customary Consumption an Obstacle to Sustainable Livelihoods for Low-Income Rural Households? Evidence from a Survey in China's Ethnic Minority Areas

Volume 10, Issue 5

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Is Customary Consumption an Obstacle to Sustainable Livelihoods for Low-Income Rural Households? Evidence from a Survey in China's Ethnic Minority Areas
Is Customary Consumption an Obstacle to Sustainable Livelihoods for Low-Income Rural Households? Evidence from a Survey in China's Ethnic Minority Areas
School of Public Administration, Southwest Jiaotong University, Chengdu, Sichuan, 610031 China
Vol. 10, Issue 5, Pages: 82-88(2026)
Online First：14 August 2026，

Published：30 May 2026
DOI：10.47297/wspdecWSP2515-797315.20261005
Accepted：

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Qubi Jinzi,Zhao Pengfei.Is Customary Consumption an Obstacle to Sustainable Livelihoods for Low-Income Rural Households? Evidence from a Survey in China's Ethnic Minority Areas[J].Development Economics of China,2026,10(05):82-88.
DOI：

Qubi Jinzi,Zhao Pengfei.Is Customary Consumption an Obstacle to Sustainable Livelihoods for Low-Income Rural Households? Evidence from a Survey in China's Ethnic Minority Areas[J].Development Economics of China,2026,10(05):82-88. DOI： 10.47297/wspdecWSP2515-797315.20261005.

摘要

Abstract

Against the backdrop of strong government support for household consumption

the government has introduced measures to guide moderation in customary consumption

such as weddings and funerals. This study finds that customary consumption at weddings and funerals in China's ethnic minority areas has a significant negative impact on the sustainable livelihoods of low-income rural households. Moreover

among these households

dropping out of school to work not only fails to alleviate the household burden but also hinders the achievement of sustainable livelihoods. Employment training helps enhance the capacity of low-income rural households to attain sustainable livelihoods. Households that are more diligent and have stronger learning abilities are more likely to achieve sustainable livelihoods. The study also finds that human capital has a significant impact on the income levels of low-income rural households

and social networks

market distance

and labour-force conditions have a substantial effect on household income.

关键词

Keywords

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