China’s annual inflation eased sharply to 0.2% in January 2026 from 0.8% a month earlier, marking the lowest print since October and missing market expectations of 0.4%. Food prices fell for the first time in three months (-0.7% vs 1.1% in December), dragged by drops in pork, eggs, and cooking oils. Non-food inflation slowed (0.4% vs 0.8%), despite ongoing consumer trade-in programs. Healthcare inflation slowed slightly (1.7% vs 1.8%), education cost was flat after a 0.9% rise previously, while housing (-0.1% vs -0.2%) and transport (-3.4% vs -2.6%) saw deeper declines. Clothing prices, however, accelerated (1.9% vs 1.7%). NBS statistician Dong Lijuan said the moderation in January inflation was mainly due to a high base and sharper energy price drops. Meanwhile, core inflation, excluding food and energy, rose 0.8% year-on-year, the weakest in six months after 1.2% in December and November. Monthly, CPI increased 0.2%, matching the December level but undershooting the 0.3% consensus. source: National Bureau of Statistics of China

Inflation Rate in China decreased to 0.20 percent in January from 0.80 percent in December of 2025. Inflation Rate in China averaged 4.50 percent from 1986 until 2026, reaching an all time high of 28.40 percent in February of 1989 and a record low of -2.20 percent in April of 1999. This page provides - China Inflation Rate - actual values, historical data, forecast, chart, statistics, economic calendar and news. China Inflation Rate - data, historical chart, forecasts and calendar of releases - was last updated on February of 2026.

Inflation Rate in China decreased to 0.20 percent in January from 0.80 percent in December of 2025. Inflation Rate in China is expected to be 0.50 percent by the end of this quarter, according to Trading Economics global macro models and analysts expectations. In the long-term, the China Inflation Rate is projected to trend around 0.80 percent in 2027 and 1.00 percent in 2028, according to our econometric models.



Calendar GMT Reference Actual Previous Consensus TEForecast
2026-01-09 01:30 AM
Inflation Rate YoY
Dec 0.8% 0.7% 0.9% 0.7%
2026-02-11 01:30 AM
Inflation Rate YoY
Jan 0.2% 0.8% 0.4% 0.5%
2026-03-09 01:30 AM
Inflation Rate YoY
Feb 0.2% 0.4%

Components Last Previous Unit Reference
Rent Inflation -0.40 -0.30 percent Jan 2026

Related Last Previous Unit Reference
Consumer Price Index CPI 103.90 103.70 points Jan 2026
Core Consumer Prices 100.80 101.20 points Jan 2026
Core Inflation Rate 0.80 1.20 percent Jan 2026
Core Inflation Rate MoM 0.30 0.20 percent Jan 2026
Food Inflation -0.70 1.10 percent Jan 2026
GDP Deflator 105.20 106.00 points Dec 2024
Inflation Rate YoY 0.20 0.80 percent Jan 2026
Inflation Rate MoM 0.20 0.20 percent Jan 2026
Producer Price Inflation MoM 0.40 0.20 percent Jan 2026
Producer Prices 103.90 103.60 points Jan 2026
PPI YoY -1.40 -1.90 percent Jan 2026


China Inflation Rate
In China, the most important components of the CPI basket are Food (31.8 percent of total weight) and Residence (17.2 percent). Recreation, Education and Culture Articles account for 13.8 percent; Transportation and Communication for 10 percent, Healthcare and Personal Articles for 9.6 percent, Clothing for 8.5 percent; Households Facilities, Articles and Services for 5.6 percent; Tobacco, Liquor and Articles for the remaining 3.5 percent. The CPI basket is reviewed every five years on the basis of household surveys. Revisions reflect new spending patterns and economic development, according to the National Bureau of Statistics. Last revision took place in 2011.
Actual Previous Highest Lowest Dates Unit Frequency
0.20 0.80 28.40 -2.20 1986 - 2026 percent Monthly

News Stream
China Inflation Rate Below Expectations
China’s annual inflation eased sharply to 0.2% in January 2026 from 0.8% a month earlier, marking the lowest print since October and missing market expectations of 0.4%. Food prices fell for the first time in three months (-0.7% vs 1.1% in December), dragged by drops in pork, eggs, and cooking oils. Non-food inflation slowed (0.4% vs 0.8%), despite ongoing consumer trade-in programs. Healthcare inflation slowed slightly (1.7% vs 1.8%), education cost was flat after a 0.9% rise previously, while housing (-0.1% vs -0.2%) and transport (-3.4% vs -2.6%) saw further declines. Clothing prices, however, accelerated (1.9% vs 1.7%). NBS statistician Dong Lijuan said the moderation in January inflation was mainly due to a high base and sharper energy price drops. Meanwhile, core inflation, excluding food and energy, rose 0.8% year-on-year, the weakest in six months after 1.2% in December and November. Monthly, CPI increased 0.2%, matching the December level but undershooting the 0.3% consensus.
2026-02-11
China Inflation Nears 3-Year High
China’s annual inflation rate edged higher to 0.8% in December 2025 from 0.7% in the prior month, marking the highest level since February 2023 but falling short of market forecasts for 0.9%. The latest result also pointed to the third straight month of consumer inflation, with food prices rising the most in 14 months (1.1% vs 0.2% in November), driven by sharper price increases in fresh vegetables and fresh fruit. Meanwhile, non-food inflation remained steady (at 0.8%), helped by ongoing consumer trade-in programs. Prices continued to rise for clothing (1.7% vs 1.9%), healthcare (1.8% vs 1.6%), and education (0.9% vs 0.8%). In contrast, housing prices fell 0.2% after being flat previously, while transport costs dropped further (-2.6% vs -2.3%). Core inflation, which excludes food and energy, held at 1.2% yoy, staying at its highest in 20 months. Monthly, the CPI rose 0.2%, after a 0.1% drop in November. For the whole year, inflation was flat, missing the official target of around 2%.
2026-01-09
China Inflation Rate Hits 21-Month High
China’s annual inflation rate picked up to 0.7% in November 2025 from 0.2% in the prior month, aligning with market consensus and marking the highest level since February 2024. Food prices rose for the first time in ten months (0.2% vs -2.9% in October), supported by rebounds in prices of fresh vegetables and fresh fruit, coupled with a less steep drop in pork. Also, non-food inflation increased further (0.8% vs 0.9%), lifted by the ongoing consumer trade-in programs. Prices continued to rise for clothing (1.9% vs 1.7%), healthcare (1.6% vs 1.4%), and education (0.8% vs 0.9%). Meantime, housing prices were flat after edging up 0.1% previously, while transport costs fell further (-2.3% vs -1.5%). Core inflation, which excludes food and energy, rose 1.2% yoy, matching October's pace and remaining at its highest level in 20 months. On a monthly basis, consumer prices fell 0.1%, after an October reading and forecasts of a 0.2% rise, marking the first drop in five months.
2025-12-10