China: housing

How much is invested in property development in China?

Investment in real estate development in China was 4,797.9 billion yuan in January to August 2026, 19.9% less than a year earlier, according to the NBS real estate release of 16 September 2026. Investment in residential buildings fell 19.7%.

Investment in office buildings fell 22.0% and in commercial buildings 25.5%. The figures cover spending by property development companies on construction and land development, at current prices. Property investment is a large part of total fixed-asset investment, which fell 7.2% over the same period.

Official sources: NBS: Real estate investment, January to August 2026

How many new homes are being built in China?

Construction started on 218.40 million square metres of residential floor space in China in January to August 2026, 25.4% less than a year earlier, according to the NBS real estate release of 16 September 2026.

Residential floor space completed was 147.98 million square metres, also down 25.4%, and residential floor space under construction was 3,893.47 million square metres, down 13.2%. The NBS measures housing construction in floor space rather than number of homes. The figures cover property development companies.

Official sources: NBS: Real estate investment, January to August 2026

How many new homes are sold in China?

Sales of newly built residential buildings in China covered 415.03 million square metres in January to August 2026, 13.0% less than a year earlier, according to the NBS real estate release of 16 September 2026. Their value fell 13.1% to 4,177.6 billion yuan.

Sales of all new commercial buildings, including offices and shops, were 4,747.0 billion yuan, down 13.0%. Developers' funds from buyers' deposits and advance payments fell 14.8%, according to the same release.

Official sources: NBS: Real estate investment, January to August 2026

How many unsold homes are there in China?

753.49 million square metres of newly built commercial floor space was for sale in China at the end of August 2026, 1.1% less than a year earlier, according to the NBS real estate release of 16 September 2026. Of this, 400.83 million square metres was residential, down 0.5%.

The figure counts completed buildings held by developers that are not yet sold. Of the total, 548.19 million square metres had been for sale for less than three years. Homes under construction and not yet completed are not included, so the measure does not show all unsold housing.

Official sources: NBS: Real estate investment, January to August 2026

How many second-hand homes are sold in China?

Online transactions of second-hand housing in China covered 549.23 million square metres in January to August 2026, 10.6% more than a year earlier, according to Ministry of Housing and Urban-Rural Development data cited in the NBS real estate release of 16 September 2026.

That was more than the 498.80 million square metres of new commercial buildings sold, which fell 12.1%. Second-hand transactions are recorded through local online registration systems. The NBS publishes price indices for second-hand homes in 70 cities each month.

Official sources: NBS: Real estate investment, January to August 2026

How are Chinese property developers funded?

Funds available to Chinese property developers for investment were 5,089.3 billion yuan in January to August 2026, 21.0% less than a year earlier, according to the NBS real estate release of 16 September 2026.

Self-raised funds were 1,843.2 billion yuan, down 20.0%; deposits and advance payments from buyers 1,603.7 billion yuan, down 14.8%; domestic loans 688.0 billion yuan, down 33.3%; and individual mortgage loans 684.6 billion yuan, down 22.4%. Bank lending to developers fell faster than their other sources of funds.

Official sources: NBS: Real estate investment, January to August 2026

What share of China is urban?

66.3%: that is the share of people living in urban areas in China for 2025, according to the UN Population Division. No year since 2005 has been higher. East Asia & Pacific median: 63.1%; China is 12th highest of 30. Worldwide: 84th of 193.

How many people in China live in slums?

In 2022, the share of city dwellers living in slums in China was 26.3%, according to UN-Habitat. It is 9th highest of 27 in East Asia & Pacific, where the median is 17.9%. World rank, highest first: 71st of 170.

What is the electricity access rate in China?

According to the World Bank, the share of people with access to electricity in China was 100.0% in 2024. That is the highest since at least 2005. It is 1st highest of 30 in East Asia & Pacific, where the median is 100.0%. World rank, highest first: 1st of 193.

What share of people in China have safe sanitation?

In 2024, the share of people using safely managed sanitation in China was 68.9%, according to WHO and UNICEF. No year since 2005 has been higher. East Asia & Pacific median: 60.5%; China is 9th highest of 21. Worldwide: 61st of 134.

How many people in China cook with wood or charcoal?

In 2024, the share of people using clean cooking fuels in China was 90.0%, according to the WHO. It is the top of the series, which starts in 2005. It is 12th highest of 30 in East Asia & Pacific, where the median is 82.0%. World rank, highest first: 105th of 192.