Chinese women fall behind men in home ownership

World Today

March 8th marked International Women’s Day. Former China’s Chairman Mao once famously said, “women hold up half the sky.” But women are far from holding they are far from owning half of China’s houses. According to a recent survey of home buyers in first tier cities, 80 percent of Chinese men either own, or co-own a home. In comparison to just under a third of women are registered homeowners. CCTV’s Grace Brown filed this report from Beijing.

Highlights:

  • Chinese real estate was worth $30 trillion in 2013, mostly owned by men.
  • Most women after divorce lose property rights if they were not registered as a co-owner, even if they cared for and helped pay for the home.
  • While 70 percent of Chinese women have helped purchase property, only 30 percent have their names on the deed.
  • Women often have equal liability but not equal rights to property.