World
China: the economy in numbers
The economy grew 4.3% in Q2 2026; inflation was 0.8% in Aug 2026; the policy rate is 3.00%. Every reading tipsheet tracks for China, with its history and what is usual for it. Readings China does not publish openly are listed, not dropped.
Written for investors following China from India.
Snapshot
The latest reading of each measure, the period it is for, the reading a year earlier and where today's sits in the economy's own history since 2000 (100 = the highest).
| Measure | Latest | Period | A year earlier | Percentile | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Real GDP growth | +4.3% | Q2 2026 | +5.2 | 6 | OECD |
| Exports, US$ | +20.0% | Jun 2026 | +6.0 | 65 | IMF (derived) |
| Leading indicator | 98.1 | Aug 2026 | 100.1 | 10 | OECD |
| Unemployment rate | 5.6% | Q3 2020, stopped | 5.2 | – | ILOSTAT |
| Consumer price inflation | 0.8% | Aug 2026 | −0.4 | 28 | BIS |
| Producer prices | −0.7% | Dec 2022, stopped | +3.7 | 44 | IMF (derived) |
| Policy rate | 3.00% | 29 Sep | 3.00 | 5 | BIS |
| 10-year government bond yield | 1.69% | Aug 2026 | 1.84 | 4 | OECD |
| Private credit and credit gap | −5.1 pp | Q1 2026 | −4.4 | 30 | BIS |
| Currency against the dollar, daily | +6.2% | 2 Oct | −1.4 | 90 | FRED (DEXCHUS) |
| Real effective exchange rate | 91.8 | Aug 2026 | 86.8 | 56 | BIS |
| Stock market return | −1.0% | 1 Oct | +16.4 | 46 | index history (returns only) |
| Current account | US$ +824 bn | Q2 2026 | +632 | 100 | IMF (derived) |
| Trade balance | US$ +1,188 bn | Jun 2026 | +1,143 | 99 | IMF (derived) |
| FX reserves | +4.4% | Jun 2026 | +5.0 | 44 | IMF (derived) |
| Government debt, % of GDP | 101% | Q1 2026 | 93 | 100 | BIS |
| Budget balance, % of GDP | −7.6% | 2025 | −6.5 | 4 | OECD |
| House prices, real | −7.0% | Q2 2026 | −6.4 | 9 | BIS |
Not published openly and on time, so not shown: industrial production, retail sales volume, core inflation (ex food and energy), inflation expectations, money supply growth.
Growth and jobs
Output, factories, shops, exports, the leading indicator and unemployment.
Real GDP growth: +4.3% in Q2 2026, down from +5.2 a year earlier
Shaded: the usual range (middle half of readings) since 2005.
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Exports, US$: +20.0% in Jun 2026, up from +6.0 a year earlier
% on a year earlier. Shaded: the usual range (middle half of readings) since 2005.
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Leading indicator: 98.1 in Aug 2026, down from 100.1 a year earlier
Shaded: the usual range (middle half of readings) since 2005.
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Unemployment rate: 5.6% in Q3 2020 (series stopped)
Shaded: the usual range (middle half of readings) since 2005.
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Prices
Consumer prices, the core measure without food and energy, producer prices and expected inflation.
Consumer price inflation: 0.8% in Aug 2026, up from −0.4 a year earlier
Shaded: the usual range (middle half of readings) since 2005.
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Producer prices: −0.7% in Dec 2022 (series stopped)
% on a year earlier. Shaded: the usual range (middle half of readings) since 2005.
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Interest rates and money
The central bank's rate, the government's borrowing cost, the central bank's balance sheet, money and credit.
Policy rate: 3.00% on 29 Sep, unchanged on a year earlier
Shaded: the usual range (middle half of readings) since 2005.
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10-year government bond yield: 1.69% in Aug 2026, down from 1.84 a year earlier
Shaded: the usual range (middle half of readings) since 2005.
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Private credit and credit gap: −5.1 pp in Q1 2026, down from −4.4 a year earlier
Shaded: the usual range (middle half of readings) since 2005.
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The currency and the stock market
The currency's value in dollars over a year, its real trade-weighted value, and the stock market's one-year return.
Currency against the dollar, daily: +6.2% on 2 Oct, up from −1.4 a year earlier
Shaded: the usual range (middle half of readings) since 2005.
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Real effective exchange rate: 91.8 in Aug 2026, up from 86.8 a year earlier
Shaded: the usual range (middle half of readings) since 2005.
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Stock market return: −1.0% on 1 Oct, down from +16.4 a year earlier
Shaded: the usual range (middle half of readings) since 2005.
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Trade, reserves and the government
What the economy earns from the world, its reserves, its government's debt and deficit, and house prices.
Current account: US$ +824 bn in Q2 2026, up from +632 a year earlier
US$ billion, summed over the last 12 months (or 4 quarters). Shaded: the usual range (middle half of readings) since 2005.
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Trade balance: US$ +1,188 bn in Jun 2026, up from +1,143 a year earlier
US$ billion, summed over the last 12 months (or 4 quarters). Shaded: the usual range (middle half of readings) since 2005.
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FX reserves: +4.4% in Jun 2026, down from +5.0 a year earlier
% on a year earlier. Shaded: the usual range (middle half of readings) since 2005.
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Government debt, % of GDP: 101% in Q1 2026, up from 93 a year earlier
Shaded: the usual range (middle half of readings) since 2005.
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Budget balance, % of GDP: −7.6% on 2025, down from −6.5 a year earlier
Shaded: the usual range (middle half of readings) since 2005.
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House prices, real: −7.0% in Q2 2026, down from −6.4 a year earlier
Shaded: the usual range (middle half of readings) since 2005.
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The workings
The question
Data
Every chart has a table view, a CSV download and a link to its published JSON. Bundles are listed in data status.