China’s economy expanded 5.0% yoy in Q1 2026, accelerating from 4.5% in Q4 and beating forecasts of 4.8%. It marked the fastest annual growth in three quarters, supported largely by resilient export performance although Beijing braces for potential fallout from the Iran conflict. So far, the economy has managed to absorb the shock with limited disruption, supported by ample oil reserves, a diversified energy mix, and state controls that help contain price volatility. However, the underlying momentum appeared uneven in March, as industrial output rose more than expected, but retail sales growth missed estimates. Exports slowed sharply in the month while imports surged. Meantime, fixed-asset investment in the January to March period continued to grow, albeit at a slower pace. Despite the stronger start, economists expect China’s growth momentum to weaken over the rest of the year, weighed down by mounting external headwinds, particularly if the Middle East crisis is prolonged. source: National Bureau of Statistics of China

The Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in China expanded 5 percent in the first quarter of 2026 over the same quarter of the previous year. GDP Annual Growth Rate in China averaged 8.67 percent from 1989 until 2026, reaching an all time high of 18.90 percent in the first quarter of 2021 and a record low of -6.80 percent in the first quarter of 2020. This page provides - China GDP Annual Growth Rate - actual values, historical data, forecast, chart, statistics, economic calendar and news. China GDP Annual Growth Rate - data, historical chart, forecasts and calendar of releases - was last updated on April of 2026.

The Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in China expanded 5 percent in the first quarter of 2026 over the same quarter of the previous year. GDP Annual Growth Rate in China is expected to be 4.70 percent by the end of this quarter, according to Trading Economics global macro models and analysts expectations. In the long-term, the China GDP Annual Growth Rate is projected to trend around 5.10 percent in 2027 and 5.00 percent in 2028, according to our econometric models.



Calendar GMT Reference Actual Previous Consensus TEForecast
2026-01-19 02:00 AM
GDP Growth Rate YoY
Q4 4.5% 4.8% 4.4% 4.6%
2026-04-16 02:00 AM
GDP Growth Rate YoY
Q1 5% 4.5% 4.8% 5.2%
2026-07-15 02:00 AM
GDP Growth Rate YoY
Q2 5% 4.7%


Related Last Previous Unit Reference
Full Year GDP Growth 5.00 5.00 percent Dec 2025
GDP Growth Rate YoY 5.00 4.50 percent Mar 2026
GDP Constant Prices 1345690.20 971245.70 CNY Hundred Million Dec 2025
GDP from Agriculture 93346.80 58187.10 CNY Hundred Million Dec 2025
GDP from Construction 86425.10 59950.20 CNY Hundred Million Dec 2025
GDP from Manufacturing 416826.00 305371.30 CNY Hundred Million Dec 2025
GDP from Services 808879.30 592931.10 CNY Hundred Million Dec 2025
GDP from Transport 62092.10 46116.10 CNY Hundred Million Dec 2025
GDP Growth Rate 1.30 1.20 percent Mar 2026
Gross Fixed Capital Formation 537875.60 523590.30 CNY Hundred Million Dec 2024
Gross National Income 1393700.00 1339672.00 CNY Hundred Million Dec 2025


China GDP Annual Growth Rate
In China, Gross Domestic Product is divided by three sectors: Primary, Secondary and Tertiary. The Primary Industry includes Farming, Forestry, Animal Husbandry, and Fishery and accounts for around 9 percent of GDP. The Secondary sector, which includes Industry (40 percent of GDP) and Construction (9 percent of GDP) is the most important. The Tertiary sector accounts for the remaining 44 percent of total output and consist of Wholesale and Retail Trades; Transport, Storage, and Post; Financial Intermediation; Real Estate; Hotel and Catering Services and Others.
Actual Previous Highest Lowest Dates Unit Frequency
5.00 4.50 18.90 -6.80 1989 - 2026 percent Quarterly

News Stream
China Q1 GDP Growth Above Expectations
China’s economy expanded 5.0% yoy in Q1 2026, accelerating from 4.5% in Q4 and beating forecasts of 4.8%. It marked the fastest annual growth in three quarters, supported largely by resilient export performance, although Beijing braces for potential fallout from the Iran conflict. So far, the economy has managed to absorb the shock with limited disruption, amid ample oil reserves, a diversified energy mix, and state controls that help contain price volatility. However, the underlying momentum appeared uneven in March, as industrial output rose more than expected, but retail sales growth missed estimates. Exports slowed sharply in the month, while imports surged. Meantime, fixed-asset investment in the January to March period continued to grow, albeit at a slower pace. Despite the stronger start, economists expect China’s growth momentum to weaken over the rest of the year, weighed down by mounting external headwinds, particularly if the Middle East crisis is prolonged.
2026-04-16
China Q4 GDP Growth Eases, Annual Pace Holds at 5%
China’s economy expanded 4.5% yoy in Q4 2025, slowing from 4.8% in Q3 and marking the weakest rise in three years. The latest result came as December retail sales grew at their slowest rate in three years, weighed down by a prolonged property slump and deflationary pressures despite ongoing consumer subsidies. Meantime, the jobless rate stood at 5.1% for the third straight month while industrial output growth accelerated. Still, full-year growth reached 5%, in line with Beijing’s target and unchanged from 2024, helped by a record-high trade surplus as strong exports to non-U.S. markets helped offset tariff pressure and weaker fixed investment. China’s statistics agency noted the economy withstood multiple pressures and maintained a steady, progressive trend in 2025, following December’s pledge by leaders to sustain a proactive fiscal stance to spur activity. However, growth prospects in 2026 remain clouded by rising protectionism and unpredictable U.S. policies under President Trump.
2026-01-19
China Q3 GDP Growth Weakest in A Year
China’s economy expanded 4.8% year-on-year in Q3 2025, down from 5.2% in Q2, marking its slowest pace since Q3 2024. While in line with market expectations, the GDP growth has lost momentum after a strong start to the year, pressured by U.S. trade tensions, a prolonged property slump, and soft consumer demand. September data showed retail sales in China rose at their slowest pace in a year despite ongoing consumer subsidy programs, while the jobless rate edged down but remained near August’s six-month high. Industrial output, however, grew at its fastest pace in three months ahead of Golden Week. On the trade front, exports and imports beat forecasts as firms pushed into new markets and domestic demand was boosted by holiday spending. China’s statistics bureau cautioned that risks and external headwinds persist, with the recovery’s foundation still fragile. Still, it said that 5.2% growth in the first nine months lays a “solid foundation” for meeting a full-year target of around 5%.
2025-10-20