People attend a flag-raising ceremony at Potala Palace Square in Lhasa, Xizang Autonomous Region, to mark Serfs' Emancipation Day March 28, 2024. TENTSEN SHINDEN/FOR CHINA DAILY

The Statistics Bureau of the Xizang Autonomous Region unveiled remarkable economic growth and substantial improvements in the livelihood of its residents over the past 65 years.

According to the bureau, Xizang's total economic output has seen consistent and rapid expansion, with per capita GDP surpassing significant milestones. Starting from the 1,000 yuan ($138) threshold in 1989, it exceeded 10,000 yuan in 2006.

From 1959 to 2023, the regional GDP surged from 174 million yuan to 239 billion yuan, boasting an average annual growth rate of 9.2 percent. Concurrently, the per capita GDP witnessed a significant rise from 142 yuan to 65,600 yuan.

This progress has been fueled by increased national investment in the region, which drove rapid advancements in infrastructure, including transportation, energy and water conservation, thereby bolstering development momentum, said Tian Guanghua, deputy director of the regional statistics bureau.

Substantial improvements have been made in the livelihood of the region's residents. The average life expectancy rose from 35.5 years to 72.19 years. As of 2022, the gross enrollment rate in preschool education has reached 89.52 percent, and the gross enrollment rate in high school has reached 91.07 percent. These indicators have reached or exceeded the national average level.