The New Nation - Internet Edition

Total retail sales figures for consumer goods reached 11.2 billion yuan ($1.59 billion) in 2007, up 24.9 percent year-on-year over the previous year. The output growth of Tibet's industry sector hit 2.6 billion yuan ($368.8 million), increasing by 17.7 percent from the previous year.

Urban per capita disposable income reached 10,720 yuan ($1,521). The average net income of farmers and herdsmen stood at 2,788 yuan ($395), up 14.5 percent year-on-year.

A total of 697 million yuan ($99 million) went toward social causes in the Tibet Autonomous Region, of which 472 million yuan ($67 million) was invested in education to build 39 standard primary schools in rural areas and 13 junior middle schools. The enrollment rates of Tibet's primary school, junior middle school, senior middle school and college education were, respectively, 98.2 percent, 90.7 percent, 42.96 percent and 17.4 percent last year. The illiteracy rate among youths and adults dropped to 4.76 percent.

The medical system in the farm and pasture areas in Tibet benefits all farmers and herdsmen, with the per capita medical subsidy increased to 100 yuan ($14).

Science and technology development played a more important role in promoting economic growth in Tibet as the autonomous regional government devoted 56 million yuan ($7.9 million) and the Central Government allocated 111 million yuan ($15.7 million) of the state science fund to fund science and technology upgrades there.

The radio and TV coverage reached 87.8 percent and 88.9 percent, respectively.

The autonomous regional government invested 758 million yuan ($107.5 million) in housing projects for low-income residents and subsided a total of 56,000 families, or 294,000 farmers.

The construction of roads as long as 9,616 km was completed in rural areas to connect 94 townships and 848 villages. By the end of last year, a population of 180,000 in 348 villages in 96 townships enjoyed access to electricity and 332,800 local residents had access to clean and safe drinking water.

Postal services were available in 61 major townships, and villagers in 700 villages were connected to the outside world through their phones.

Thanks to the local government's reemployment-aid efforts, Lhasa became the country's first capital city without a jobless family. About 95.41 percent of more than 8,000 college graduates in the autonomous region found jobs last year. The minimum standard of living for city residents in Tibet was 230 yuan ($32.60).