China Q4 GDP Growth Eases, Annual Pace Holds at 5%

2026-01-19 02:06 By Farida Husna 1 min. read

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.



News Stream
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
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