China: public finances

How much revenue does the Chinese government collect?

China's general public budget revenue was 15.66 trillion yuan in January to August 2026, 5.7% more than a year earlier, according to the Ministry of Finance release of 18 September 2026. Spending was 18.15 trillion yuan, up 1.2%.

Central government revenue was 7.01 trillion yuan, up 9.1%, and local government revenue 8.65 trillion yuan, up 3.1%. Spending exceeded revenue by about 2.48 trillion yuan. The general public budget is the main budget; separate budgets cover government funds, such as land sale revenue, and social insurance funds.

Official sources: Ministry of Finance: Fiscal revenue and spending, January to August 2026 (Chinese)

How much tax does China collect?

China collected 12.91 trillion yuan in taxes in January to August 2026, 6.6% more than a year earlier, according to the Ministry of Finance release of 18 September 2026. Domestic value added tax brought in 5.02 trillion yuan, up 5.9%.

Corporate income tax was 3.38 trillion yuan, up 7.3%, and personal income tax 1.21 trillion yuan, up 14.5%. Stamp duty rose 35.6%, with stamp duty on securities trading up 82%. Taxes linked to property fell: deed tax by 14.2% and land value added tax by 13.6%. The figures are nominal.

Official sources: Ministry of Finance: Fiscal revenue and spending, January to August 2026 (Chinese)

What does the Chinese government spend money on?

China's general public budget spending was 18.15 trillion yuan in January to August 2026, according to the Ministry of Finance release of 18 September 2026. The largest items were social security and employment, at 3.27 trillion yuan, up 6.5%, and education, at 2.73 trillion yuan, up 0.7%.

Health spending was 1.50 trillion yuan, up 9.2%, while spending on energy saving and environmental protection fell 12.3%. Local governments accounted for 15.33 trillion yuan of total spending. Central government spending of its own was 2.82 trillion yuan.

Official sources: Ministry of Finance: Fiscal revenue and spending, January to August 2026 (Chinese)

How much do Chinese local governments earn from land sales?

Chinese local governments received 1.38 trillion yuan from selling land use rights in January to August 2026, 28.6% less than a year earlier, according to the Ministry of Finance release of 18 September 2026.

Land sale revenue goes into the government fund budget, separate from the main budget. Total government fund revenue was 2.14 trillion yuan, down 19%, and spending from the fund budget 5.19 trillion yuan, down 17%. Land sales depend on demand from property developers, whose investment fell 19.9% over the same months, according to the NBS.

Official sources: Ministry of Finance: Fiscal revenue and spending, January to August 2026 (Chinese) · NBS: Real estate investment, January to August 2026

How much does China spend on interest on government debt?

China's general public budget spent 918.8 billion yuan on interest payments on government debt in January to August 2026, 5.4% more than a year earlier, according to the Ministry of Finance release of 18 September 2026.

That was about 5% of general budget spending of 18.15 trillion yuan. The figure covers interest paid from the main budget only. The separate government fund budget, which finances many local projects, is reported apart, so this is not the total cost of all government borrowing.

Official sources: Ministry of Finance: Fiscal revenue and spending, January to August 2026 (Chinese)

What is China's debt to GDP ratio?

98.6% of GDP: that is general government gross debt in China for 2025, according to the IMF. It is the top of the series, which starts in 2005. East Asia & Pacific median: 45.0% of GDP; China is 3rd highest of 29. Worldwide: 24th of 185.

Does China's government borrow more than it raises?

The latest figure from the IMF, for 2025, is -7.9% of GDP (a deficit). Since 2005 it has ranged from -9.6% of GDP (2020) to 0.1% of GDP (2007). Across East Asia & Pacific the middle value was -1.7% of GDP, and China placed 26th highest of 29. Of 188 countries with 2025 data, 175th highest.

What is China's government revenue?

In 2025, general government revenue in China was 25.0% of GDP, according to the IMF. Its high point since 2005 was 2017, at 28.6% of GDP; its low point was 2005, at 16.7% of GDP. Across East Asia & Pacific the middle value was 33.6% of GDP, and China placed 18th highest of 29. Of 187 countries with 2025 data, 105th highest.

What is China's government spending?

In 2025, general government spending in China was 32.9% of GDP, according to the IMF. Its high point since 2005 was 2020, at 35.1% of GDP; its low point was 2007, at 17.9% of GDP. It is 16th highest of 29 in East Asia & Pacific, where the median is 32.9% of GDP. World rank, highest first: 78th of 186.

How much tax does China collect?

According to the IMF, central government tax revenue in China was 7.0% of GDP in 2024. No year since 2005 has been lower. Across East Asia & Pacific the middle value was 15.4% of GDP, and China placed 12th highest of 12. World rank, highest first: 89th of 92.

How much does China spend on its military?

The latest figure from SIPRI, for 2025, is 1.7% of GDP. Its high point since 2005 was 2009, at 1.9% of GDP; its low point was 2021, at 1.6% of GDP. Across East Asia & Pacific the middle value was 1.4% of GDP, and China placed 6th highest of 16. Worldwide: 72nd of 149.