The economy of Tibet is dominated by subsistence agriculture. Due to limited arable land, livestock raising is the primary occupation mainly on the Tibetan Plateau, among them are sheep, cattle, goats, camels, yaks, donkeys and horses. The main crops grown are barley, wheat, buckwheat, rye, potatoes, oats, rapeseeds, cotton and assorted fruits and vegetables. In recent years the economy has begun evolving into a multiple structure with agriculture and tertiary industry developing side by side.

The rapid economic development in Tibet reflects the strong support of the central government. From batches of large-scale infrastructure construction to support in bringing health insurance to farmers and herdsmen, education, and cultural protection; central finance authorities has injected vitality into Tibetan economic and social development by offering strong funds and policy support.

In the past 30 years of reform and opening, the central government has been increasing investment in Tibet's infrastructure. Key projects such as the Qinghai-Tibet railway, Nyingchi airport and other transportation infrastructure have effectively eased the bottleneck of Tibet's rapid economic development.

Since the peaceful liberation of Tibet, considering Tibet's unique survival and working environment, the central government has introduced supportive policies in terms of fiscal and taxation systems, people's livelihood and treatment of cadres