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2017 CITIC- PRUDENTIAL
RELATIONSHIP INDEX
China Report
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THE STATE OF RELATIONSHIPS IN CHINA IN 2017
Relationships are important. They are essential to our happiness,
well-being and longevity. But how much do we truly understand
about them? What are the dynamics? What weakens them? And what
makes them stronger?
The inaugural 2016 CITIC-Prudential Relationship Index (CPRI)
brought forward a greater understanding of personal relationships.
We saw smiles and tears, laughter and fears, but most importantly,
we saw love and respect. The findings revealed behaviours that
influence relationships and key drivers to make them better.
By launching the second edition of the CITIC-Prudential Relationship
Index (CPRI), CITIC-Prudential continues to explore the state of
relationships across Asia, in Cambodia, Hong Kong, Indonesia, the
Philippines, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam and China. This
year, over 4,600 people shared insights into their relationships with
partners, parents, children, friends and relatives.
The index details how well current relationships in China measure
against needs and expectations, and what can be done to improve
them. A score of 100 on the CPRI indicates that a person’s primary
relationships deliver 100% of what they want from that relationship.
In China, 600 interviews were conducted through the online sampling
of adults between the ages of 25 and 55 living in Beijing, Shanghai
or Guangzhou. Respondents had monthly household incomes of at
least RMB10,000, representing approximately the top two-thirds of
household incomes in the surveyed cities.
The 2017 CITIC-Prudential Relationship Index for China is 54/100.
This means, on average, people’s primary relationships fulfil 54%
of their desired needs. On the flip side, these results reveal a 46%
“relationship gap” in China. The score for 2017 is the same as it
was for 2016 (54/100).
This report highlights what CITIC-Prudential has learned from
people in China about the state of their relationships in 2017.
PRI of 54/100
China ranks 9th out of nine markets in
Asia with an index score of 54/100.
Cambodia is 1st in the region.
2
China9 th
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The 2017 CITIC-Prudential Relationship Index for China is 54/100.
The CPRI score for China in 2017 is unchanged from CPRI score for
2016 (54/100). As in 2016, China remains the market with the lowest
CPRI score out of the nine markets surveyed.
Cambodia has the highest CPRI ranking at 86/100. The average CPRI
across all markets is 71/100.
Given the importance of relationships to happiness, well-being
and longevity, the CPRI offers understanding and insight into
relationships in China. What are the pillars of a relationship? How
do we make them stronger, better and more rewarding?
95% of adults surveyed in China (ages 25-55) are in a relationship
with a partner, including 86% who are married and 81% who are
parents. 50% say their best relationship is with their partner over all
their other relationships.
CHINA
The PRI score for
China in 2016 was
54/100
2017 PRI
Cambodia1st
Philippines2nd=
Vietnam2nd=
Indonesia4th
Thailand5th
Singapore7th
China9th
Malaysia6th
Hong Kong8th
3
China ranks 9th out of nine markets in Asia in
the 2017 CITIC-Prudential Relationship Index.
54/100
China9 th
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CHINA
HIGHLIGHTS
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A Financial Helping Hand
In China, most couples find that working with a financial
professional in planning and managing their finances helps
improve their relationship (57%).
• This is even more prominent among couples who do not plan
their finances together, with 63% of couples who separately
engage in financial planning saying that working with a
financial consult makes their relationship better.
• 88% of people in China agree that advancement in technology
has made it easier to plan their finances better.
We are stronger (and richer) together!
Couples who do financial planning together have higher
relationship scores (62/100) than those who plan separately
(41/100). They are also more optimistic about the state of their
personal finances and relationships in the near future.
• People who plan their finances together with their partners
are more likely to think their personal finances will improve
in the next five years (78%) compared with those who plan
separately (59%).
• Couples who plan together are also more likely to think that
their love life will get better in five years’ time (58%) than those
who keep their planning separate (49%).
FINANCIAL PLANNING AND RELATIONSHIPS
57%
62/100 41/100
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FINANCIAL PLANNING AND RELATIONSHIPS
Shifting cultural traditions in China Love has no secrets
People in China are less likely to expect their children to give
them financial support in their old age (28%) even though 47%
currently cover their own parents’ daily expenses.
More than half of couples in China (62%) say they are completely
open about their finances with their partners.
• 59% put all their finances together into a common pool, the
highest proportion among all markets surveyed in the region.
• 48% talk to each other about their financial plans at least
once a week.
• The majority (87%) expect to use their personal savings and
assets to support themselves when they are older.
• However, retirement funds are not generally a big concern for
most Chinese. Only 34% worry if they will have enough money
for retirement – the lowest proportion across all markets.
28%87%
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Laughter is the best medicine Families that play together, stay together
More Chinese men (64%) think they are the funnier ones in the
relationship compared to women (45%), with the PRI revealing
that laughter is key to building better relationships.
Family time is important to people in China. The majority of
people (61%) rank travelling with family as a top financial
priority - the highest proportion in the region.
• 72% of couples laugh with their partners at least once a week,
while 29% do so every day. Those who laugh together more
often have better relationship scores (52/100) compared to
couples who laugh together less often (41/100).
• 53% consider the ability to make someone laugh or smile to be
one of the most important attributes in a partner. 41% even
admit that they would like their current partners to be funnier.
• People say that, in an ideal world, they would choose to
spend an additional four hours per week on average with
their parents.
PARTNER RELATIONSHIPS/EXPECTATIONS
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PARTNER RELATIONSHIPS/EXPECTATIONS
The Arguments Between Us Mom and Dad get an A+ for worrying
Children and living environment are among the top five sources
of argument for couples in China.
88% of Chinese parents admit to worrying about their children’s
future, with more than half (52%) saying that their top financial
goal is to support their children’s education – the highest
proportion in the region.
• 30% educate their children about financial management or
planning at least once a week. 45% even give their children
general advice on a weekly basis.
• Even though most parents worry about their children’s future,
a large number of Chinese (76%) believe children will have a
better future by 2050 than they do now.
• 27% of couples say they argue about children, the second-
highest reason for argument in China.
• Couples also commonly argue about their living environment
and their standard of living (24%).
88%
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PARTNER RELATIONSHIPS/EXPECTATIONS
Why must I do everything?
Housework is a source of argument for 23% of couples in China,
with women saying they do a greater share of the housework
and look after the children more compared to men.
• 38% of men and 76% of women in China say they look after
their children more.
• 42% of men and 68% of women in China say they do most of
the housework.
• 73% of men and 80% of women think that by 2050, men and
women will do an equal amount of housework.
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TECHNOLOGY AND TIME ALLOCATION
I’d like to order a tech-free meal, please! Talk to the phone, not to the face
81% of Chinese feel mealtimes with others would be better if
everyone turned off their phones.
Most Chinese believe communicating via the phone is becoming
more popular than face-to-face communication, with nearly
half (45%) saying they know someone who prefers looking at a
screen over talking to others.
• 65% of people in China admit to getting distracted by pop-up
alerts even while talking to other people.
• 48% say they feel upset when they don’t receive calls or
messages on their phones.
• 59% think their family spends too much time on the phone
rather than talking to each other.
65%
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Put that away!
Spending too much time on digital devices is the biggest
source of argument for couples in China (31%).
• 48% of people say that time spent on the phone negatively
impacts their relationship with family.
• 39% feel they must compete with their partner’s phone for
attention, while 35% admit that they are often upset by their
partner’s social media posts.
• 30% of couples in China say they would like their partners to
be more attentive.
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Drinking, Smoking or Me?
Health is undoubtedly the top-of-mind issue for many in China.
Drinking and smoking is a common source of argument for
25% of couples.
Health is wealth
From all the markets surveyed in 2017, Chinese people expect to
live the longest (until the age of 85 and their partners until the
age of 87). They are also the most confident about their health
in the future.
LONGEVITY AND HEALTH
• If Chinese couples could change anything about their
partners, more than half (56%) say they would like their
partners to be healthier.
• The proportion of those concerned about staying physically
healthy is the lowest among all the markets surveyed (54%). This
is probably due to the fact that China has the highest regional
proportion of people who are currently active in maintaining
their health (52%).
• 45% are concerned about staying mentally active in old age.
52%
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• Almost all people (91%) think their relationship with their
partner is better now than when they had first met, the second-
highest in the region after Indonesia.
• More than half expect their love life to improve in the next five
years (57%).
• 71% believe divorce and separation will be socially acceptable.
• 59% believe that same-sex marriage will be socially acceptable.
• 32% believe more than half the marriages will end in divorce
or separation.
Love is in the air
The majority of couples in China (89%) feel their current
relationships have turned out better than expected.
Redefining relationships in 2050
When people in China make predictions about 2050:
LONGEVITY AND HEALTH
89%
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CHINA
RELATIONSHIP OVERVIEW
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The 2017 CITIC-Prudential Relationship Index (CPRI) for China
is 54/100. This score indicates that, on average, primary
relationships in China provide just more than half of their
relationship needs. The CPRI for China is lower than the regional
average for 2017 (71/100).
On average, the relationship scores that people in China have for
their partners in 2017 is 49/100 – this indicates that partners fulfil
49% of all that they say is important in their relationships. This is
unchanged from the scores in 2016.
The relationship scores that people in China have with family and
friends are slightly lower compared with scores in 2016. Relationships
scores for parents (36/100) are two points lower than those in 2016
(38/100). Scores for children (35/100) are a point lower on average
compared with 2016 (36/100).
PRIMARY RELATIONSHIPS
Children
35/100
Best friends
36/100
Parents
36/100
Colleagues
23/100
49/100
Partners Relatives
27/100
20162017
100
0
54Needs Unmet46%
Needs Fulfilled
54%
China 2017
CITIC-Prudential
Relationship Index
China 2016
CITIC-Prudential
Relationship Index
71
Regional
Average for
2017
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COMPATIBILITY, COMPANIONSHIP, COMMUNICATION AND COMMITMENT
Strong relationships are built on pillars of Compatibility,
Companionship and Communication, while sustainable relationships
are built on Commitment.
People in China value relationships with those who show
commitment. They value honesty in communication and people
who are loyal to them.
They also value those who provide them with emotional support.
They want to be in relationships with people who show concern for
their well-being, are prepared to comfort them and who empathise
with them.
They also want some independence in their relationships – they
value those who respect their individuality and are prepared to
accommodate their lifestyle. They also feel that partners should be
easy to get along with, by which they mean someone who allows
them to relax and is fun to be around.
Strong
Commitment Strong Relationship
Sustainability
• Are easy to get along with
• Respect their individuality
• Accommodate their
lifestyle
• Are honest with them
• Are easy to understand
• Empathise with them
• Will stand up for them
• Frequently interact with
them
• Have a calming effect on
them
Compatibility Communication
Companionship
Strong
Relationship • Are concerned about their well-being
• Comfort them in times of need
• Are loyal
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PARTNERS
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The relationship scores that people in China have with their partners
in 2017 is 49/100. This indicates that those in relationships have
approximately 49% of their relationship needs provided for by their
partners. This is unchanged compared with 2016 (49/100). The
average partner relationship score for all the markets surveyed in
2017 is 67/100.
86% of those surveyed in China are married, while a further 9% have
a boyfriend or girlfriend. 5% are single and unattached.
PARTNER RELATIONSHIP SCORE THE IDEAL PARTNER
People in China most want partners who show some form of empathy
towards them. They want their partners to enjoy emotional bonding
with them and who have a calming effect on them.
Independence is also important in relationships. The Chinese
value partners who respect their individuality and are willing to
accommodate their lifestyle.
MOST DESIRED ATTRIBUTES IN AN IDEAL PARTNER
2017 % of people
Is honest with me
Makes me laugh or smile from within
Base: All respondents in China (n=600)
Respects my individuality 61% 2nd
Will stand up for me 61% 3rd
Has a calming effect on me 58% 9th
Will accommodate my lifestyle 57% 6th
57%Frequently interacts with me 12th
Easy to get along with 54% 4th
Similar interests or hobbies 54% 9th
53% 15th
53% 5th
Enjoys emotional bonding with me 61% 1st
Rank in
2016
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There have been noticeable changes in how people in China feel their
partners are meeting their relationship needs. People in China are
more likely to feel that their partners are ready to provide support
during emergencies (57% in 2017 compared with 36% in 2016). They
are also more likely to think that their partners will give them the
benefit of the doubt (55% in 2017 compared with 34% in 2016) and
will put their interests first (57% in 2017 compared with 38% in 2016).
However, people in China are less likely to think that their partners
are on the same wavelength as them (45% in 2017 compared with
57% in 2016) or that they are easy to talk to (49% in 2017 compared
with 60% in 2016).
HOW RELATIONSHIPS HAVE CHANGED
People in China are expressing their love to their partners less often
in 2017 than in 2016. 54% tell their partners that they love them at
least once a week – a slight drop from 59% who did so in 2016. They
are also slightly less likely to communicate with their partners, given
the minor reductions in how often partners make them laugh, how
often couples talk with each other and how often they argue with
each other.
KEY CHANGES IN HOW PARTNERS ARE MEETING
RELATIONSHIP NEEDS FROM 2016 TO 2017
Base: Those married, engaged or with partners in China (n=570)
Change in performance from 20162017 % of partners
INTERACTIONS WITH PARTNERS TAKING PLACE
AT LEAST ONCE A WEEK
Base: Those married, engaged or with partners in China (n=570)
Some interactions are newly added in 2017. Data trends are not available.
Change since 20162017
-12%
45% Is on the same wavelength as me
-11%
49% Is easy to talk with
-9%
63% Is loyal to me
+21%
57%Would provide for me in emergencies
+19%
57%Puts my interests first
+21%
55%Would give me the benefit of the doubt
72%
-3%They make you laugh
19%You seriously consider leaving them
41%You talk to each other about the future
65%
-1%You spend at least one hour talking together
54%
-5%You tell them that you love them
54%
-2%They tell you that they love you
48%You plan your finances together
50%You have dinner together as a date
16%
-3%You have an argument
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IF I COULD JUST CHANGE ONE THING ABOUT YOU…
56% want their partners to be healthier.
When asked what they would change about their partners, 5% of
people in China said that their partners were already perfect and
they did not want anything to be changed. The one thing they were
most likely to mention was that they wanted their partners to be
healthier (56%). 44% want their partners to be more responsible
and 41% want them to be funnier. 32% want their partners to be
wealthier. For 8% of people in China, their relationship was so poor
that they wanted their partner to simply disappear.
72% of people in China laugh together with their partners at least
once a week, a decrease from 75% who did so in 2016. 29% laugh
with their partners every day. Laughter is highly linked with good
relationships. More than half of people in China (53%) think that
their ideal partner should make them laugh or smile. Those who
laugh with their partners at least once every week have a partner
relationship score of 52/100, eleven points higher than those who
don’t laugh together as frequently (41/100).
Most men think that they are the funnier ones in their relationships.
64% of men think they make their partners laugh more. 45% of
women agree, and say that their partners are the funnier ones in
their relationships. 41% of people in China say they wanted their
partners to be funnier.
LAUGHTER IS THE BEST MEDICINE
Relationship scores are 11 points higher among couples who
laugh together frequently.
56%72%
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WHAT PEOPLE WOULD CHANGE IN THEIR PARTNERS
Base: Those married, engaged or with partners in China (n=570)
Make them healthier 56%
Make them more responsible 44%
Make them funnier 41%
Make them wealthier 32%
Make them more attentive 30%
Make them more communicative 27%
Make them more generous 25%
Make them better looking 23%
Make them quit drinking or smoking 18%
Make them more adventurous 13%
Nothing - my partner is perfect 5%
Make them disappear 8%
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Many couples continue to have separate roles within the relationship.
68% of women and 42% of men say they are the ones in the family to
do most of the housework. 76% of women and 38% of men say they
are the ones who look after the children the most. 23% of people in
China say they argue with their partners about housework.
There is a general expectation that true equality at home will happen
eventually, but it may take a long time to achieve. 73% of men and
80% of women think that by 2050, men and women will do an equal
amount of housework. Nearly a quarter (23%) of people in China
believe that even by 2050, men and women will not share the same
amount of housework.
WHY MUST I DO EVERYTHING?
23% of couples argue about the housework
THE ARGUMENTS BETWEEN US
31% argue about the time spent on digital devices.
In addition to arguments about housework, people in China are also
likely to argue about the time their partners spend on their phones or
computers (31%). Other sources of tension include arguments about
children (27%) and the living environment (24%). 25% of people in
China argue about their partners’ drinking or smoking habits. Men
and women are almost equally likely to start arguments. 57% of
women and 47% of men say they are the ones in the relationship who
most often initiate the arguments. 56% of women and 53% of men
say they are the ones who most often make their partners upset.
23%
31%
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PARENTS AND CHILDREN
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RELATIONSHIPS WITH CHILDREN
81% of adults surveyed in China have children. 89% have living
parents, including 27% whose parents live in the same household
as them.
In 2017, the relationship scores that parents in China have with
their children is 35/100. This indicates that parents approximately
have 35% of their relationship needs met by their children. This
represents a one-point decrease compared with 2016 (36/100),
indicating that parents in China are marginally less likely to feel
their children are meeting their relationship needs. The average
relationship scores parents have with their children in the markets
surveyed in 2017 is 50/100.
Parents in China put a lot of emphasis on being able to play with
their children. The most important things China parents want from
their children is for them interact frequently with them (61%) and
that they make them laugh or smile (56%). In addition to having
fun interactions, parents also want their children to be easy to
get along with (53%), by which they mean that their children allow
them to relax.
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Rank in
2016
1st
3rd
7th=
2nd
5th
6th
4th
13th
21st
MOST IMPORTANT ATTRIBUTES IN CHILDREN
2017 % of parents who want this
Frequently interacts with me 62%
Makes me laugh/smile from within 56%
Easy to get along with 53%
Enjoys emotional bonding with me 52%
Will stand up for me 50%
Will accommodate my lifestyle 49%
Respects my individuality 47%
Enjoys doing things together 43%
Does things for me spontaneously 42%
Is comfortable in each other’s’ silence 42%
Base: Parents in China (n=488)
7th=
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Parents are more likely to think that their children give them the
benefit of the doubt, with 44% of them thinking so in 2017 compared
with 28% in 2016. They are also more likely to think that children
are prepared to contribute financially to daily expenses (34% in 2017
compared with 21% in 2016).
Conversely, parents think that their children are less likely to share
the same personality as them (18% in 2017 compared with 35% in
2016) or that they enjoy being close to them (34% in 2017 compared
with 44% in 2016).
CHANGES IN RELATIONSHIPS WITH CHILDREN
Parents are interacting with their children less often in 2017 than in
2016. 48% say they play or have family activities with their children
in 2017, compared with 61% who said they did so in 2016. They are
also less likely to have conversations with their children – 52% say
they spend one hour or more talking with their children at least once
a week, a reduction from 58% who said they did so in 2016.
KEY CHANGES IN HOW CHILDREN ARE MEETING
RELATIONSHIP NEEDS FROM 2016 TO 2017
Change in performance2017 % of children
Base: Parents in China (n=488)
Gives me the benefit of the doubt 44%+16%
Helps me financially day-to-day 34%+13%
Engages with my friends and colleagues 30%+9%
Enjoys being physically close to me34%-10%
Has a personality compatible to mine18%-17%
INTERACTIONS WITH CHILDREN TAKING PLACE AT
LEAST ONCE A WEEK
Change since 20162017
Base: Parents in China (n=488)
Some interactions are newly added in 2017. Data trends are not available. 25
52%
-6%You spend at least one hour talking together
42%They spend too much time on the phone
30%You teach them about financial planning
31%
-12%
They make you proud
46%
-10%You tell them that you love them
36%
-16%They express gratitude for what you do
26%You worry about their future
48%
-13%You play with them
40%
-16%You give them money
45%
-15%You give them advice
19%
-1%You have an argument with him or her
27%
-9%You clean up after them
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In China, 88% of parents worry about their children’s future, with
26% worrying at least once a week.
To prepare their children for what lies ahead, more than half (52%)
have supporting children’s education as one of their main financial
goals. 30% of parents teach their children financial concepts at
least once a week. 45% give their children general advice at least
once each week.
Despite widespread concern about their children’s future, there is
some optimism that future generations will find things easier. 76%
of people in China believe that children in 2050 will have a better
future than they do now.
MOM AND DAD GET AN A+ FOR WORRYING
The majority of parents in China worry about their
children’s future.
88%
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RELATIONSHIPS WITH PARENTS
The 2017 relationship scores that people in China have with their
parents is 36/100, two points lower than the score recorded in
2016 (38/100). This indicates that among those with living parents,
approximately 36% of their relationship needs are provided for by
their parents. The average parent relationship scores for the markets
surveyed in 2017 is 48/100.
As in 2016, the most important attributes that people in China
look for in their parents are for their parents to stand up for them
(65%) and to have a calming effect on them (62%). People in China
most want their parents to give them independence – 58% want
parents to respect their individuality and 49% want their parents to
accommodate their lifestyle.
Base: Adults in China with living parents (n=534)
MOST IMPORTANT ATTRIBUTES IN PARENTS
Will stand up for me 65%
Has a calming effect on me 62%
Respects my individuality 58%
Easy to get along with 56%
Frequently interacts with me 53%
Does things for me spontaneously 50%
Will accommodate my lifestyle 49%
Makes me laugh/smile from within 48%
Enjoys emotional bonding with me 46%
Is comfortable in each other’s silence 44%
2017 % of people who want this
Rank
in 2016
1st=
1st=
4th
3rd
6th
9th
12th
5th
7th
15th
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CHANGES IN RELATIONSHIPS WITH PARENTS
In 2017, people in China are more likely to think that their parents
are forgiving (58%) than they did in 2016 (42%). They are also more
likely to think that their parents support them with their children
(54% in 2017 compared with 46% in 2016) and that they work on
their interests together (43% in 2017 compared with 35% in 2016).
However, although more people agree that their parents help with
the children, they are less likely to think that their parents help with
the housework – 28% say their parents help with household chores
in 2017 compared with 51% who said so in 2016.
With more people in China feeling that their parents are judgmental
towards them, people are also highly likely to think their parents still
treat them like children. 45% of adults say their parents treat them
like children on a weekly basis.
Currently 17% of adults in China think parents give them pressure
on a weekly basis. More than a third (34%) say that their parents
gave them pressure when they were young. For 3% of people, the
pressure they received when they were young was so severe that it
continues to affect their current relationship with their parents.
Base: Adults in China with living parents (n=534)
KEY CHANGES IN HOW PARENTS ARE MEETING
RELATIONSHIP NEEDS FROM 2016 TO 2017
-13% Enjoys being physically close to me
20%
-14% Shares similar interests/hobbies
21%
-23% Does household chores for me
28%
+16%Is willing to forgive me
58%
+8%Works with me on my interests
43%
+9%Supports me with the children
54%
Change in performance2017 % of parents
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INTERACTIONS WITH PARENTS TAKING PLACE
AT LEAST ONCE A WEEK
Base: Adults in China with living parents (n=534)
Some interactions are newly added in 2017. Data trends are not available.
Change since 20162017
They treat you like a child 45%
They give you money 20%
They don’t let you do what you want 24%
They give you pressure 17%
You spend at least one hour talking together 44%-14%
You talk to them about financial planning 26%
You have family activities together 38%-23%
Tell them that you love them 34%-22%
You give them money 24% -32%
You have an argument with them 14%-6%
Although regular interaction is one of the top five attributes most
sought from parents, adults in China are less likely to interact
frequently with their parents in 2017 than they did in 2016. While
44% spend at least one hour talking to their parents every week,
there is a drop in the proportion that engage in weekly family
activities with their parents, 38% in 2017 compared with 56% in
2016. In 2017, 47% say they support their parents financially, a
reduction from 57% who said so in 2016.
Although fewer adults in China spend time with their parents
doing family activities, much of this drop has been due to time
pressures rather than a lack of intention. Given the choice, people
in China would like to give up on average four hours of their
personal free time each week so that they could spend more
time with their parents.
FAMILIES THAT PLAY TOGETHER, STAY TOGETHER
People in China would like to spend an extra four hours
every week with their parents.
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FINANCIAL PLANNING
AND RELATIONSHIPS
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HOW FINANCIAL PLANS AFFECT RELATIONSHIPS
Making financial plans together is a sign of a strong relationship
in China. Those who plan all their finances together have a partner
relationship score of 62/100, compared with a score of only 41/100
for those who keep their financial plans separate. People who
plan their finances together are more likely to think their personal
finances will improve (78%) than those who plan separately (59%).
They are also more likely to think that their love life will improve –
58% of those who plan together think so compared with only 49% of
those who plan separately.
Compared to the rest of Asia, couples in China are relatively more
likely to share financial responsibilities with each other. 59% of
couples in China pool all their financial resources together. Only 5%
don’t pool any resources together and keep all their financial matters
separate. Couples in China are also very open about their finances.
62% share everything about their finances with their partners. Nearly
half (48%) talk with their partners about financial matters at least
once a week.
WE ARE STRONGER (AND RICHER) TOGETHER!
People who plan their finances with their partners have a
relationship score of 62/100 while those who keep their financial
plans separate score only 41/100.
LOVE HAS NO SECRETS
62% of couples in China say they are completely open about
their finances with their partners.
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More than half of the people in China (51%) consult with a financial
services professional to manage their finances. 57% of couples in
China agree that working with a financial consultant to plan their
finances makes their relationship better, including 63% of those who
currently do not consult with a financial services professional.
People in China do not only find benefit in face-to-face consultations
when making financial plans. 88% think that technological growth
has made it easier to plan their finances better.
A FINANCIAL HELPING HAND
57% of couples think that working with financial consultants
helps improve their relationships.
57%
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RETIREMENT AND RELATIONSHIPS
Concerns about retirement affect relationships in China. Those who
are confident about their future retirement have a CPRI score of
54/100, 14 points higher than those who are not confident about
retirement (40/100).
Because retirement is such a big concern in China, it also forms
one of their key goals for saving. 37% of people say that saving for
retirement is one of their main financial goals.
61% place travelling with family as their top financial goal – the
highest proportion from all the nine markets surveyed in 2017.
KEY FINANCIAL GOALS
Travelling with my family 61%
Supporting children education 45%
Getting enough for my future retirement 37%
Buying a flat/house 32%
Supporting my parents’ retirement life 29%
Starting a new business 21%
For emergency needs 14%
Buying a car/motorbike 13%
Supporting other family members 11%
Settling the debts 5%
Base: All respondents in China (n=600)
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EXPECTED FORMS OF FINANCIAL SUPPORT IN OLD AGE
From my personal savings/ assets
From the government
From my partner
From working
From my children
From charities
From relatives (cousins, nephews, nieces etc.)
87%
39%
33%
32%
28%
5%
2%
Base: All respondents in China (n=600)
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In China, 34% of people say that one of their main concerns about
growing old is whether or not they will have enough money for
retirement. 22% are concerned that they will become a burden to
their family.
Most people in China expect to use their personal savings for
retirement (87%). 39% expect financial help from the government.
32% expect that they will need to continue working in their old age.
Only 28% of people in China expect their children to support them
financially when they are old despite the fact that 47% of adults
currently support their own parents’ daily expenses.
SHIFTING CULTURAL TRADITIONS IN CHINA
Only 28% expect their children to support them in their
senior years.
28%
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LONGEVITY AND HEALTH
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HOW LONGEVITY AND HEALTH AFFECT RELATIONSHIPS
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BIGGEST CONCERNS REGARDING OLD AGE
Base: All respondents in China (n=600)
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54%Whether I will stay physically healthy
7%Whether I will have enough to
pass on to my loved ones
45%Whether I will stay mentally agile
34%Whether I will have enough money
for retirement
22%Whether I will remain socially active
22%Whether I will become a burden to my family
18%The quality of my relationships
18%Whether I will be lonely
16%Whether I can keep working if I want to
When asked how long they expect to live, people in China say they
expect to live until the age of 85 on average, and their partners until
87 years. These are the highest averages recorded from all the nine
markets surveyed in 2017. 14% of people in China expect they will
live to be over 100 years old. 51% believe that married people live
longer than single people and 9% believe single people live longer.
40% believe marriage makes no difference to longevity.
People in China are actively trying to live healthier, longer lives. At
least half (52%) are active in maintaining their health – the highest
proportion across the region. With this keen intention to keep
themselves healthy, only 54% are concerned about staying physically
active in old age - the lowest proportion in all the markets surveyed.
HEALTH IS WEALTH
Chinese people expect to live until 85 years on average.
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Research shows that couples become increasingly happy together
over time. 91% of people in China think their relationship with their
partner is better today than when they had first met – the second-
highest proportion after Indonesia among the nine markets surveyed.
89% of them say that their current relationship has turned out better
than they had initially expected.
LOVE IS IN THE AIR
89%
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89% of couples feel their current relationships have turned out
better than expected.
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THE IMPACT OF
TECHNOLOGY
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TALK TO THE PHONE, NOT TO THE FACE
Many Chinese believe people prefer communicating via the
phone over face-to-face communication.
HOW TECHNOLOGY AFFECTS RELATIONSHIPS
Many people feel that technology is distracting people from having
proper conversations. 45% say they know someone who prefers
looking at a screen rather than talking to people. Almost two-thirds
(65%) admit they get distracted by pop-up alerts even while talking
to others. Almost half (48%) admit that they feel upset when they
don’t receive calls or messages.
People in China are increasingly conscious of the impact of technology
on their relationships. 59% believe that their families spend too much
time on the phone instead of talking to each other. 81% think that
mealtimes would be better if everyone agreed to turn off their phones.
I’D LIKE TO ORDER A TECH-FREE MEAL, PLEASE!
81% think mealtimes would be better if everyone turned off
their phones.
81%
65%
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AGREEMENT ON THE IMPACT OF TECHNOLOGY
ON RELATIONSHIPS
Base: All respondents in China (n=600)
4040
My family spends too much time on the phone 59%
My partner’s social media posts often upset me 34%
Mealtimes are better if phones are turned off 81%
My time on the phone negatively impacts
my family relationships
48%
I am distracted by pop-up alerts
while talking to others
65%
I know people who prefer looking at a screen
rather than talking to others
45%
I compete for attention with my partner’s phone 39%
Technology benefits my financial planning 88%
I feel upset if I don’t get calls or messages 48%
In China, 48% of people think that the time they spend on their phone
or computer is negatively impacting their relationships with family.
31% say that time spent on digital devices is a source of argument
between them and their partners. 30% want their partners to be
more attentive, while 39% feel that they must compete with their
partner’s phone for attention.
Although social media has been designed to keep people in touch,
it can sometimes cause issues in relationships. 35% of those in
relationships say they are often upset by their partner’s posts on
social media.
PUT THAT AWAY!
48% say their phone negatively impacts their relationships.
48%
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THE FUTURE OF
RELATIONSHIPS
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EXPECTATIONS ON HOW RELATIONSHIPS
WILL CHANGE IN CHINA BY THE YEAR 2050
Base: All respondents in China (n=600)
Divorce or separation will be socially acceptable 71%
Same-sex marriage will be legal 59%
More than half of children will be born to
unmarried parents
39%
More than half of marriages will end
in divorce/separation
32%
Most couples living together will not be married 47%
While relationships in China remain weaker than other markets in
the region, Chinese people are still optimistic about the future of
their relationships. 57% expect their love life to improve within the
next five years, while 55% expect their relationships with friends to
get better.
People in China are optimistic about their financial health. More
than two-thirds (69%) expect their finances and savings to improve
in five years’ time.
THE FUTURE OF RELATIONSHIPS
People in China seem to expect a change in the nature of relationships
in the future. 71% believe that by 2050, divorce in China will be
socially acceptable, while 32% be predict that by 2050, more than
half of all marriages in China will end in a divorce. 59% expect that
same-sex marriage will be legal in China by 2050.
HOW PEOPLE IN CHINA EXPECT THEIR LIFE TO
CHANGE IN FIVE YEARS’ TIME
No ChangeWorse Better
Base: All respondents in China (n=600)
Your personal finances
69%6% 25%
Your family relationships
48%6% 46%
Your relationship
with friends
55%2% 43%
Your health
41%47%12%
Your love life
57%41%3%
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ABOUT THE 2017 CITIC-PRUDENTIAL RELATIONSHIP INDEX
The CITIC-Prudential Relationship Index (CPRI) is a study to find
out what matters most in personal relationships throughout Asia.
CITIC-Prudential has conducted the CPRI study in 2017 and 2016.
Given the vital importance of relationships to people’s happiness,
well-being and longevity, the CPRI offers real understanding and
insight into relationships: how to make them stronger, better and
more rewarding. The CITIC-Prudential Relationship Index allows
CITIC-Prudential to add value to customers, financial consultants,
business partners, employees, government representatives and
others by helping them understand and improve the forces that
shape and drive healthy personal relationships in their family, circle
of friends and workplace.
For the 2017 CITIC-Prudential Relationship Index, over 4,600
interviews were conducted in 9 markets in Asia. These include
Cambodia, China, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines,
Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam. Interviews were conducted
between 26 June and 20 July 2017 in key cities in each market,
with adults between 25 and 55 years of age. The surveys collected
information on what individuals need from relationships and how
well their existing relationships meet those needs.
In China, 600 interviews were conducted through online sampling
with residents of Beijing, Shanghai or Guangzhou. Respondents have
household incomes of at least RMB10,000 per month, representing
approximately the top two-thirds of household incomes in the
surveyed cities. The margin of error for the study is within +/- %.
The 2017 CITIC-Prudential Relationship Index represents how well
individuals’ existing relationships measure up to their needs and
expectations. It is a marker of both the strength and sustainability
of a relationship.
The CPRI will allow CITIC-Prudential to focus on the biggest issues in
our customers’ lives. CITIC-Prudential aims to become a partner that
genuinely understands, adds value to and shows how to improve what
is most important to our customers - their personal relationships.
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ABOUT PRUDENTIAL
Founded in 2000, CITIC-Prudential Life Insurance Co., Ltd. (“CITIC-
Prudential”) was jointly set up by CITIC Group in China and Prudential
plc incorporated in UK. Headquartered in Beijing, CITIC-Prudential
has a registered capital of billion. CITIC-Prudential is rooted
in listening to its customers, and it has rolled out a range of products
and services that meet customers’ needs. The company now offers
products in many fields including protection, savings, investment,
retirement planning and health care. With its professional business
expertise, sophisticated management and customer-centric service
philosophy, CITIC-Prudential had provided diverse, considerate,
fast and high-quality insurance and wealth management services to
nearly 920,000 customers across China by June 2016.
Prudential Corporation Asia, based in Hong Kong, oversees the
company’s life insurance and asset management operations spanning
14 Asian markets. For more than 90 years, Prudential has been
providing financial security to Asian customers and communities.
Today, Prudential has over 15 million customers in Asia, and a leading
asset management business under Eastspring Investments.
For more information about Prudential or the Prudential Relationship Index,
please contact us at:
hello@
Prudential Corporation Asia
Brand & Corporate Affairs
13/F, One International Finance Centre
1 Harbour View Street
Central, Hong Kong
+852 2918 6300
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