China: economy

How fast is China's industrial production growing?

Value added of China's larger industrial firms grew 5.2% in August 2026 from a year earlier, according to the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) release of 15 September 2026. It was up 5.3% in the first eight months.

Manufacturing grew 6.1% and mining fell 1.4%. High-tech manufacturing grew 16.7%, with output of lithium-ion batteries up 57.2% and industrial robots up 34.6%. The figures cover firms with annual revenue of at least 20 million yuan and are real growth rates, adjusted for price changes, so they show changes in volume.

Official sources: NBS: National economy in August 2026

How much does China export and import?

China exported goods worth 2,727.4 billion yuan in August 2026, 18.6% more than a year earlier, and imported 1,918.1 billion yuan, up 21.7%, according to the NBS release of 15 September 2026. Exports exceeded imports by about 809 billion yuan.

In the first eight months, exports were 20,165.8 billion yuan, up 14.6%, and imports 14,609.5 billion yuan, up 22.0%. Exports of mechanical and electrical products grew 21.9%. The figures are in yuan at current prices, so they reflect price and exchange-rate changes as well as volumes. Detailed trade data by country and product are published by the General Administration of Customs.

Official sources: NBS: National economy in August 2026

How are China's retail sales changing?

China's retail sales of consumer goods were 3,982.4 billion yuan in August 2026, 0.4% more than a year earlier, according to the NBS release of 15 September 2026. For January to August they were 32,756.9 billion yuan, up 1.1%.

Retail sales of services, such as travel and leisure, grew faster, at 4.9% in the first eight months against 1.0% for goods. Sales in rural areas rose 1.6% in August and in urban areas 0.2%. Growth rates are nominal, at current prices, so part of any change reflects prices rather than volumes.

Official sources: NBS: National economy in August 2026

Is investment in China rising or falling?

Fixed-asset investment in China was 29,309.2 billion yuan in January to August 2026, 7.2% lower than a year earlier, according to the NBS release of 15 September 2026. Excluding real estate development, it fell 4.2%.

Investment in real estate development fell 19.9%, infrastructure 4.0% and manufacturing 2.3%. Investment in intellectual property products rose 9.2% and in high-tech industries 5.2%. Private investment fell 10.1%. Fixed-asset investment covers spending on buildings, equipment and other long-lived assets, excluding rural households, and is measured at current prices.

Official sources: NBS: National economy in August 2026

What is China's manufacturing PMI?

China's official manufacturing purchasing managers' index (PMI) was 50.1% in September 2026, up from 49.8% in August, according to the NBS and the China Federation of Logistics and Purchasing. A value above 50 indicates expansion compared with the previous month.

The production index was 51.7% and new orders 50.5%, while the employment index was 48.4%. Large firms scored 50.6%, medium firms 49.7% and small firms 48.9%. The PMI is a monthly survey of purchasing managers and is seasonally adjusted. It gives an early signal of activity before output data are published.

Official sources: NBS: Purchasing Managers' Index for September 2026

How are profits of Chinese industrial companies changing?

Profits of China's larger industrial firms totalled 5,271.98 billion yuan in January to August 2026, 15.7% more than a year earlier, according to the NBS release of 29 September 2026.

Manufacturing profits rose 17.4% and mining profits 35.1%, while profits of electricity, heat, gas and water suppliers fell 12.0%. Profits in computer and electronic equipment manufacturing rose 110%, while car manufacturing fell 16.0% and ferrous metal smelting 62.4%. Revenue grew 6.6%, and the profit margin was 5.66%. The figures cover firms with annual revenue of at least 20 million yuan.

Official sources: NBS: Industrial profits, January to August 2026

How fast is China's economy growing?

According to the World Bank, real GDP growth in China was 5.0% in 2025. The peak was 14.2% in 2007 and the low 2.3% in 2020. East Asia & Pacific median: 3.6%; China is 10th highest of 29. Worldwide: 47th of 180.

What is China's GDP per person?

The World Bank puts GDP per person in China at $13,862 in 2025. No year since 2005 has been higher. Across East Asia & Pacific the middle value was $6,547, and China placed 9th highest of 29. Worldwide: 68th of 180.

What is China's GDP per person adjusted for prices?

According to the World Bank, GDP per person at purchasing power parity in China was $29,333 in international dollars in 2025. No year since 2005 has been higher. East Asia & Pacific median: $14,200 in international dollars; China is 8th highest of 29. Of 179 countries with 2025 data, 66th highest.

What share of China's economy is exports?

In 2025, exports of goods and services in China was 21.1% of GDP, according to the World Bank. Since 2005 it has ranged from 18.1% of GDP (2019) to 35.5% of GDP (2006). Across East Asia & Pacific the middle value was 53.8% of GDP, and China placed 16th highest of 16. Worldwide: 105th of 133.

Does China have a current account surplus or deficit?

The latest figure from the IMF, for 2025, is 3.8% of GDP. Since 2005 it has ranged from 0.2% of GDP (2018) to 9.8% of GDP (2007). It is 8th highest of 19 in East Asia & Pacific, where the median is 1.6% of GDP. Worldwide: 27th of 132.

How much foreign direct investment goes into China?

The latest figure from the IMF, for 2025, is 0.4% of GDP. The peak was 4.5% of GDP in 2005 and the low 0.2% of GDP in 2024. Across East Asia & Pacific the middle value was 1.9% of GDP, and China placed 24th highest of 28. World rank, highest first: 149th of 179.

How high are loan rates in China?

The IMF puts the average bank lending rate in China at 4.3% in 2024. No year since 2005 has been lower. Across East Asia & Pacific the middle value was 5.5%, and China placed 12th highest of 13. Of 89 countries with 2024 data, 85th highest.