What happened to the average standard of living in China between the mid-1950s and Mao's death in 1976?

Between the mid-1950s and Mao's death in 1976, the average standard of living in China underwent significant fluctuations, heavily influenced by various social and economic policies. While some reforms were intended to boost living standards, the realities of the Great Leap Forward (1958-1962) and the Cultural Revolution (1966-1976) led to widespread disruption and hardship.

The Great Leap Forward aimed to rapidly industrialize and collectivize agriculture, but the policies resulted in widespread famine and economic disarray, causing a substantial decline in both food production and general quality of life for many citizens. Although there were periods of recovery following these events, the overall economic growth was inconsistent. The Cultural Revolution further destabilized society, disrupted education, and hindered economic development during a crucial period.

The situation led to a scenario where the average standard of living did not see significant improvement and, in many cases, stagnated or declined. Thus, it is accurate to say that the changes to living standards during this era were minimal overall, especially given the back-to-back challenges faced by the Chinese population.