China’s annual inflation jumped to 1.3% in February 2026 from 0.2% in January, marking the highest print since January 2023 and topping market expectations of 0.8%. The increase largely reflected the impact of the Lunar New Year, which fell in mid-February this year. Food prices logged the sharpest rise since October 2024, rebounding from a prior decline (1.7% vs -0.7% in January), boosted by an acceleration in the cost of fresh vegetables and a softer drop in pork prices. Non-food inflation picked up strongly (1.3% vs 0.4%), with upward price pressures coming from clothing (1.9% vs 1.9%), healthcare (1.9% vs 1.7%), and education (2.0% vs flat reading). Meantime, transport costs fell much more slowly (-0.7% vs -3.4%), even as a drop in housing prices accelerated a bit (-0.2% vs -0.1%). Core inflation, excluding food and energy, rose 1.8% yoy, the strongest since March 2019. Monthly, the CPI rose 1.0%, up from 0.2% in January and pointing to the largest monthly gain since February 2024. source: National Bureau of Statistics of China

Inflation Rate in China increased to 1.30 percent in February from 0.20 percent in January of 2026. Inflation Rate in China averaged 4.49 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 March of 2026.

Inflation Rate in China increased to 1.30 percent in February from 0.20 percent in January of 2026. Inflation Rate in China is expected to be 1.10 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
2026-02-11 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 1.3% 0.2% 0.8% 0.7%
2026-04-10 01:30 AM
Inflation Rate YoY
Mar 1.3% 1.1%

Components Last Previous Unit Reference
Rent Inflation -0.50 -0.40 percent Feb 2026

Related Last Previous Unit Reference
Consumer Price Index CPI 104.90 103.90 points Feb 2026
Core Consumer Prices 101.80 100.80 points Feb 2026
Core Inflation Rate 1.80 0.80 percent Feb 2026
Core Inflation Rate MoM 0.70 0.30 percent Feb 2026
Food Inflation 1.70 -0.70 percent Feb 2026
GDP Deflator 105.20 106.00 points Dec 2024
Inflation Rate YoY 1.30 0.20 percent Feb 2026
Inflation Rate MoM 1.00 0.20 percent Feb 2026
Producer Price Inflation MoM 0.40 0.40 percent Feb 2026
Producer Prices 104.30 103.90 points Feb 2026
PPI YoY -0.90 -1.40 percent Feb 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
1.30 0.20 28.40 -2.20 1986 - 2026 percent Monthly

News Stream
China Inflation Rate Highest in Over 3 Years
China’s annual inflation jumped to 1.3% in February 2026 from 0.2% in January, marking the highest print since January 2023 and topping market expectations of 0.8%. The increase largely reflected the impact of the Lunar New Year, which fell in mid-February this year. Food prices logged the sharpest rise since October 2024, rebounding from a prior decline (1.7% vs -0.7% in January), boosted by an acceleration in the cost of fresh vegetables and a softer drop in pork prices. Non-food inflation picked up strongly (1.3% vs 0.4%), with upward price pressures coming from clothing (1.9% vs 1.9%), healthcare (1.9% vs 1.7%), and education (2.0% vs flat reading). Meantime, transport costs fell much more slowly (-0.7% vs -3.4%), even as a drop in housing prices accelerated a bit (-0.2% vs -0.1%). Core inflation, excluding food and energy, rose 1.8% yoy, the strongest since March 2019. Monthly, the CPI rose 1.0%, up from 0.2% in January and pointing to the largest monthly gain since February 2024.
2026-03-09
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