China’s annual inflation eased to 1.0% in March 2026 from February’s over three-year high of 1.3%, falling short of market expectations of 1.2%. Food prices rose at a much softer pace (0.3% vs 1.7% in February), amid a sharp slowdown in fresh vegetables and fruit, alongside a steeper fall in pork prices. Meanwhile, non-food inflation was little changed (1.2% vs 1.3%), with prices continuing to rise for clothing (1.6% vs 1.9%), healthcare (1.9% vs 1.9%), and education (1.1% vs 2.0%). Transport costs rebounded (0.9% vs -0.7%), while a decline in housing costs persisted (-0.2% vs -0.2%). Core inflation, excluding food and energy, rose 1.1% yoy, after a 1.8% gain in February, which had pointed to the strongest gain since March 2019. China recently imposed controls on domestic fuel prices to cushion households and businesses against higher oil costs. Monthly, the CPI fell 0.7%, after a 1.0% gain in February, marking the first drop since November and undershooting forecasts of a 0.2% drop. source: National Bureau of Statistics of China

Inflation Rate in China decreased to 1 percent in March from 1.30 percent in February of 2026. Inflation Rate in China averaged 4.48 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 April of 2026.

Inflation Rate in China decreased to 1 percent in March from 1.30 percent in February of 2026. Inflation Rate in China is expected to be 1.20 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
2026-03-09 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% 1.3% 1.2% 1.1%
2026-05-11 01:30 AM
Inflation Rate YoY
Apr 1%

Components Last Previous Unit Reference
Rent Inflation -0.50 -0.50 percent Mar 2026

Related Last Previous Unit Reference
Consumer Price Index CPI 100.80 101.50 points Mar 2026
Core Consumer Prices 101.10 101.80 points Mar 2026
Core Inflation Rate 1.10 1.80 percent Mar 2026
Core Inflation Rate MoM -0.70 0.70 percent Mar 2026
Food Inflation 0.30 1.70 percent Mar 2026
GDP Deflator 105.20 106.00 points Dec 2024
Inflation Rate YoY 1.00 1.30 percent Mar 2026
Inflation Rate MoM -0.70 1.00 percent Mar 2026
Producer Price Inflation MoM 1.00 0.40 percent Mar 2026
Producer Prices 101.50 100.50 points Mar 2026
PPI YoY 0.50 -0.90 percent Mar 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
1.00 1.30 28.40 -2.20 1986 - 2026 percent Monthly

News Stream
China Inflation Rate Below Estimates
China’s annual inflation eased to 1.0% in March 2026 from February’s over three-year high of 1.3%, falling short of market expectations of 1.2%. Food prices rose at a much softer pace (0.3% vs 1.7% in February), amid a sharp slowdown in fresh vegetables and fruit, alongside a steeper fall in pork prices. Meanwhile, non-food inflation was little changed (1.2% vs 1.3%), with prices continuing to rise for clothing (1.6% vs 1.9%), healthcare (1.9% vs 1.9%), and education (1.1% vs 2.0%). Transport costs rebounded (0.9% vs -0.7%), while a decline in housing costs persisted (-0.2% vs -0.2%). Core inflation, excluding food and energy, rose 1.1% yoy, after a 1.8% gain in February, which had pointed to the strongest gain since March 2019. China recently imposed controls on domestic fuel prices to cushion households and businesses against higher oil costs. Monthly, the CPI fell 0.7%, after a 1.0% gain in February, marking the first drop since November and undershooting forecasts of a 0.2% drop.
2026-04-10
China Caps Fuel Price Hikes to Cushion Global Oil Volatility
China will keep controls on retail gasoline and diesel prices from Wednesday, April 8, to cushion the impact of volatile global oil markets, according to the National Development and Reform Commission. The move follows “significant fluctuations” in international crude prices since late March. Under Beijing’s pricing formula, fuel prices would have risen sharply, by CNY 800 per tonne for gasoline and CNY 770 for diesel, but the government limited the increases at CNY 420 and CNY 400, respectively. Authorities also instructed major state oil firms, including China National Petroleum Corporation, China Petrochemical Corporation, and China National Offshore Oil Corporation, as well as other refiners, to maintain output and logistics to ensure a stable domestic fuel supply.
2026-04-08
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