China’s NBS Composite PMI Output Index edged up to 49.5 in August 2026 from July’s 3-1/2-year low of 49.3. However, the latest reading marked the second straight month of contraction in overall business activity, as weak services activity continued to weigh on growth despite a return to expansion in manufacturing output. Soft domestic demand and persistent weakness in the property sector remained key headwinds, while trade tensions added uncertainty to the external outlook. NBS statistician Huo Lihui said the August reading reflected the impact of extreme weather in some parts of the country, while noting that overall business activity recovered slightly from July. source: National Bureau of Statistics of China

NBS General PMI in China increased to 49.50 points in August from 49.30 points in July of 2026. NBS General PMI in China averaged 51.95 points from 2017 until 2026, reaching an all time high of 57.00 points in March of 2023 and a record low of 28.90 points in February of 2020. This page includes a chart with historical data for China NBS General PMI.

NBS General PMI in China increased to 49.50 points in August from 49.30 points in July of 2026. NBS General PMI in China is expected to be 50.10 points by the end of this quarter, according to Trading Economics global macro models and analysts expectations. In the long-term, the China NBS General PMI is projected to trend around 50.80 points in 2027 and 50.50 points in 2028, according to our econometric models.



Related Last Previous Unit Reference
Business Conditions Index 48.30 50.10 points Aug 2026
NBS Manufacturing PMI 49.80 49.20 points Aug 2026
Industrial Capacity Utilization 73.00 73.60 percent Jun 2026
Passanger Car Production 2684000.00 2573000.00 Units Aug 2026
Passenger Car Sales 1541000.00 1461000.00 Units Aug 2026
Cement Production 12908.00 12671.00 Ten Thousands of Tonnes Aug 2026
Changes in Inventories 15366.10 11183.40 CNY Hundred Million Dec 2025
Coal Production 361.82 343.21 Million Tonnes Aug 2026
Composite Leading Indicator 98.10 98.25 points Aug 2026
Industrial Profits (YTD) YoY 4582060.00 3947990.00 CNY Million Jul 2026
Corruption Index 43.00 43.00 Points Dec 2025
Corruption Rank 76.00 76.00 Dec 2025
Electricity Production 943800.00 943900.00 Gigawatt-hour Aug 2026
Industrial Production YoY 5.20 4.50 percent Aug 2026
Industrial Production Mom 0.54 0.11 percent Aug 2026
Leading Economic Index 148.30 148.80 points Jul 2026
Manufacturing Production YoY 6.10 5.50 percent Aug 2026
Mining Production -1.40 -4.20 percent Aug 2026
New Orders 50.60 48.50 points Aug 2026
Steel Production 76900.00 83700.00 Thousand Tonnes Jul 2026
Vehicle Sales YoY 2712000.00 2584000.00 Units Aug 2026


China NBS General PMI
In China, the NBS Comprehensive Purchasing Manager Index measures the performance of the manufacturing and non-manufacturing sectors. A reading above 50 indicates an expansion of the overall economic trend compared to the previous month; below 50 represents a contraction; while 50 indicates no change.

News Stream
China NBS General PMI Inches Higher
China’s NBS Composite PMI Output Index edged up to 49.5 in August 2026 from July’s 3-1/2-year low of 49.3. However, the latest reading marked the second straight month of contraction in overall business activity, as weak services activity continued to weigh on growth despite a return to expansion in manufacturing output. Soft domestic demand and persistent weakness in the property sector remained key headwinds, while trade tensions added uncertainty to the external outlook. NBS statistician Huo Lihui said the August reading reflected the impact of extreme weather in some parts of the country, while noting that overall business activity recovered slightly from July.
2026-08-31
China NBS General PMI Lowest Since Late 2022
China’s NBS Composite PMI Output Index fell to 49.3 in July 2026, down from 50.6 the previous month, marking the lowest reading since December 2022. The latest result also marked the first contraction in overall business activity since February, as manufacturing output shrank for the first time in five months amid weak demand and elevated production costs. Meanwhile, the services sector returned to contraction after posting modest growth over the previous two months, reinforcing expectations that Beijing will continue to rely on incremental policy support to bolster the economy. NBS statistician Huo Lihui noted that some manufacturing industries had entered the traditional off-season but said business expectations remained generally optimistic, while activity in the cultural and tourism sectors continued to recover.
2026-07-31
China NBS General PMI Highest in 6 Months
China’s NBS Composite PMI Output Index inched up to 50.6 in June 2026 from 50.5 in the previous month, marking the highest reading since December and a fourth consecutive month of expansion in overall business activity. Manufacturing activity returned to growth, supported by resilient high-tech exports tied to the global AI boom, although broader export demand remained soft amid lingering trade uncertainty and weak domestic consumption. Meanwhile, the services sector unexpectedly expanded, likely helped by stronger business activity after reports that China's central bank urged some commercial banks to step up lending to support the economy. NBS statistician Huo Lihui said market expectations improved further in June, reflecting stronger business confidence and a gradual recovery in sentiment despite persistent economic headwinds.
2026-06-30