Abstract: In advancing Chinese modernization, consumption modernization is one of the vital component, directly linked to public welfare, the fulfillment of people's aspirations for a better life, and the robust promotion of socioeconomic modernization. This paper focuses on consumption structures, using data from National Bureau of Statistics and Chinese Social Survey (CSS) to analyze changes in consumption during China's modernization process. Key findings include: (1) Since 1981, household consumption expenditure in China has consistently increased, the Engel's Coefficient has rapidly decreased, service consumption has grown significantly, and the consumption for development has continued to expand; (2) Since 2010, the growth rate of consumption has slowed, and the average propensity to consume has trended downward, significantly lower than that of major developed countries, highlighting an issue of insufficient consumption in China; (3) Spending on housing and collective consumption remains relatively high, with collective consumption experditure accounting for roughly one-fifth of total household expenditure, which constrains other consumption; (4) Consumption growth among the high-income group has been the most substantial, while the living standards of the low-income group remain lower; however, recent years have seen a narrowing of consumption gaps between urban and rural areas and across social classes; (5) Cultural and recreational consumption remains limited, with a significant gap compared to that in developed countries. The findings provide insights into the characteristics and trends of China's progress toward consumption modernization by examining consumption structure, laying an analytical foundation for establishing a modern and high-quality consumption indicator system and offering important policy implications for the practical advancement of consumption modernization.