China: cost of living

What is China's core inflation rate?

China's core consumer prices, excluding food and energy, were 1.0% higher in September 2026 than a year earlier, according to the NBS consumer price release of 14 October 2026. Headline consumer prices rose 0.9%.

Food prices fell 1.7% over the year while non-food prices rose 1.5%. From January to September, headline prices were 0.9% higher than a year earlier and core prices 1.1% higher. Core inflation strips out volatile items to show the underlying trend in prices. The index covers 268 basic categories of goods and services in 31 provinces.

Official sources: NBS: Consumer prices in September 2026 (Chinese)

Are food prices rising in China?

Food prices in China were 1.7% lower in September 2026 than a year earlier, according to the NBS consumer price release of 14 October 2026. Pork prices fell 10.0% and fresh vegetables 8.1%.

Some foods rose: eggs were 14.3% dearer, beef 7.5% and mutton 6.4%. Over the month, food prices rose 0.4%. Meat prices as a whole fell 3.7%. In August, pork prices were 11.8% lower than a year earlier, according to the NBS August release.

Official sources: NBS: Consumer prices in September 2026 (Chinese) · NBS: Consumer Price Index in August 2026

What are China's factory gate prices?

China's producer prices for industrial products rose 5.0% in September 2026 from a year earlier and 1.2% from August, according to the NBS producer price release of 14 October 2026. Prices paid by industrial producers for inputs rose 6.9%.

Prices in mining rose 25.4% and in coal mining 35.3%. Prices of consumer goods leaving factories fell 0.1%. Over January to September, producer prices were 2.3% higher than a year earlier. Producer prices measure what factories charge for their output, so rises in input costs can later pass through to consumer prices.

Official sources: NBS: Producer prices in September 2026 (Chinese)

How much have fuel prices risen in China?

Prices of fuel for vehicles in China were 14.9% higher in September 2026 than a year earlier, according to the NBS consumer price release of 14 October 2026. They rose 4.5% from August.

Over January to September, vehicle fuel prices were 6.6% higher than a year earlier. Household water, electricity and fuel prices rose 0.6% over the year. Transport and communication prices as a whole rose 4.3%, the largest rise after miscellaneous goods and services.

Official sources: NBS: Consumer prices in September 2026 (Chinese)

Are rents rising in China?

Rents for rented housing in China were 0.6% lower in September 2026 than a year earlier, according to the NBS consumer price release of 14 October 2026. They fell 0.1% from August.

Housing costs as a whole fell 0.3% over the year. The rent index measures prices paid by tenants. It does not include the price of buying a home, which the NBS tracks separately in its monthly survey of 70 cities. Rents and price changes differ between large cities and smaller ones.

Official sources: NBS: Consumer prices in September 2026 (Chinese)

How much do Chinese households spend?

Consumption spending in China averaged 14,836 yuan per person in the first half of 2026, 3.7% more than a year earlier, according to the NBS household income and consumption release of 17 July 2026. After adjusting for prices, it grew 2.7%.

Food, tobacco and alcohol took 30.6% of spending and housing 21.1%. Urban residents spent 18,071 yuan per person and rural residents 10,180 yuan. Spending grew more slowly than disposable income, which rose 5.2% to 22,981 yuan per person. The figures come from a household survey and are averages per person.

Official sources: NBS: Households' income and consumption, first half of 2026

What is the inflation rate in China?

The IMF puts consumer price inflation in China at 0.1% in 2025. Its high point since 2005 was 2008, at 5.9%; its low point was 2009, at -0.7%. Across East Asia & Pacific the middle value was 2.2%, and China placed 20th highest of 24. Worldwide: 153rd of 165.

What is household spending per person in China?

The World Bank puts household consumption per person in China at $5,364 in 2024. That is the highest since at least 2005. It is 10th highest of 22 in East Asia & Pacific, where the median is $4,470. World rank, highest first: 65th of 153.

How many people in China live on under $3 a day?

According to the World Bank, the share of people living on less than $3.00 a day in China was 0.0% in 2022. No year since 2005 has been lower. Across East Asia & Pacific the middle value was 0.4%, and China placed 4th highest of 5. World rank, highest first: 65th of 72.

What share of China lives below the poverty line?

According to the World Bank, the share of people below the national poverty line in China was 0.0% in 2020. That is the lowest since at least 2005. World rank, highest first: 57th of 57.

What is income inequality in China?

According to the World Bank, the Gini index in China was 36.0 in 2022. The peak was 43.7 in 2010 and the low 35.8 in 2021. It is 2nd highest of 5 in East Asia & Pacific, where the median is 35.5. Worldwide: 29th of 72.