BEIJING - A record number of Chinese urban residents want to save, not spend, as they have turned increasingly gloomy about their incomes, according to a central bank survey released on Friday.

The survey of urban residents conducted by the People's Bank of China in late May showed that 47 percent would like to save more hit 47 percent, up 9.5 percent on the first quarter, and the highest since the survey began in 1999.

Only 15.1 percent said that they would spend more, down 14.6 percent from the previous quarter.

The strong preference for saving over consumption reflected a steep fall in the proportion of residents expecting their incomes to rise. Just 3.4 percent of respondents were optimistic about rising incomes, down 14.3 percentage points on the previous quarter.

Sentiment reflected in the survey was somewhat at odds with actual consumer spending in May. Official data released on Friday showed a 15.2 percent rise in retail sales from the year-ago period, accelerating from the pace set in March and April.

The government has been trying to stimulate domestic consumption to make economic growth more sustainable, but the survey showed that it faces a tough task in persuading people to spend more when the social safety net is still flimsy and their economic outlook is gloomy.