The annual economic output surpassed 140 trillion yuan for the first time, urban areas saw 12.67 million new jobs created, and an average of 26,000 new enterprises were established daily... The National Bureau of Statistics released the 2025 National Economic and Social Development Statistical Bulletin on the 28th, with a series of data indicators fully demonstrating the "stable" structure, "progressive" momentum, and "resilient" nature of the Chinese economy. 2025 marks the conclusion of the 14th Five-Year Plan. A detailed review of this development "report card" reveals several noteworthy highlights.
The performance is "solid," with comprehensive national strength reaching new heights. 2025 was a year of multiple intersecting pressures, yet also one of substantial achievements and robust outcomes. Looking at economic output: In 2025, the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) grew by 5.0% compared to the previous year, with the total economic volume exceeding 140 trillion yuan for the first time. As China's economic scale continues to expand, the 5.0% growth corresponds to an economic increment of over 5 trillion yuan. Examining per capita development levels: In 2025, China's per capita GDP, converted at the average annual exchange rate, reached $13,953, exceeding $13,000 for the third consecutive year.
"China's new breakthrough in total economic volume reflects the enhanced industrial and agricultural production capacity and the reinvigorated development vitality of the service sector within a trillion-yuan-scale economy. It serves as a crucial guarantee for the livelihood and employment of hundreds of millions of families and is a concentrated reflection of China's stable economic foundation, numerous advantages, strong resilience, and vast potential," said Sheng Laiyun, Deputy Director of the National Bureau of Statistics. Sheng Laiyun stated that the steady increase in per capita GDP benefits from the leadership of technological innovation, the accelerated construction of a modern industrial system, and the vigorous development of new quality productive forces. Simultaneously, per capita indicators reflecting production efficiency and national quality are also continuously improving.
The 5.0% economic growth rate ranks among the top of major economies, with the contribution rate to world economic growth expected to remain around 30%. The economic aggregate accounts for about one-sixth of the global total... A series of data indicators in the bulletin show that China continues to be the largest contributor and the strongest stabilizing anchor for world economic growth. "In 2025, facing a complex situation, China steadfastly focused on managing its own affairs, striving to stabilize employment, enterprises, markets, and expectations. It withstood pressure, stabilized the overall situation, and elevated its economic power, scientific and technological strength, comprehensive national power, and international influence to a new level, fully demonstrating strong developmental resilience, pressure resistance, and vibrant vitality for renewal," Sheng Laiyun said.
Momentum is "increasing," continuously shaping new advantages for development. Adhering to the guidance of scientific and technological innovation and grounded in the real economy, China is developing new quality productive forces according to local conditions. The Chinese economy is continually fostering new kinetic energy and shaping new advantages through quality improvement and transformation towards excellence. In 2025, national expenditure on Research and Experimental Development (R&D) increased by 8.1% compared to the previous year, with the ratio to GDP reaching 2.80%, exceeding the average level of OECD countries for the first time. The value-added of high-tech manufacturing industries above the designated size grew by 9.4% year-on-year. New consumption models like live-streamed commerce and instant retail developed rapidly, with massive orders flowing through cloud platforms...
Scientific and technological strength is steadily rising, and industrial renewal is gaining momentum. While coordinating the cultivation of new kinetic energy and the renewal of old动能, the construction of a modern industrial system is accelerating. The structure affects the overall situation. The bulletin shows that over the past year, China actively promoted the development of a unified national market, unwaveringly advanced high-level opening up, and firmly grasped the strategic initiative of development in its own hands.
The principal role of the domestic cycle is consolidating – the contribution of domestic demand to economic growth reached 67.3%, with final consumption expenditure contributing 52.0%, an increase of 5.0 percentage points from the previous year. The construction of a unified national market progressed solidly, with annual freight volume and turnover increasing by 3.2% and 4.6% respectively compared to the previous year. Annual A-share financing on the Shanghai and Shenzhen stock exchanges increased by 833.2 billion yuan...
Domestic and international cycles mutually reinforce each other – the total value of goods imports and exports exceeded 45 trillion yuan for the first time, expected to rank first globally for the ninth consecutive year. The number of foreign nationals entering China visa-free increased by nearly 50% year-on-year, and sales of tax-refunded goods for departures nearly doubled...
More data highlights the effectiveness of high-quality development: New urbanization construction continued, with the permanent urban population rate reaching 67.89% at year-end, an increase of 0.89 percentage points from the end of the previous year. The share of clean energy consumption in total energy consumption rose to 30.4%, and carbon dioxide emissions per 10,000 yuan of GDP decreased by 5.0%. Total grain output remained stable above 1.4 trillion jin for the second consecutive year...
"Over the past year, despite increased external uncertainties and unpredictable factors, and domestic economic growth facing pressure, all aspects fully, accurately, and comprehensively implemented the new development philosophy, unwaveringly followed the path of high-quality development, sought momentum and gathered strength from reforms, promoting better economic quality and efficiency, improved structure, greener ecology, and a stronger security barrier," Sheng Laiyun said.
The focus on livelihood is "warm," with development achievements benefiting all people more broadly and fairly. Livelihood issues are paramount. Over the past year, China introduced a package of policies benefiting the people in key areas such as employment, education, healthcare, elderly care, and child rearing. Livelihood construction has become fairer, more balanced, inclusive, and accessible, continuously enhancing the people's sense of gain, happiness, and security.
Employment is the most important livelihood issue. In 2025, the national surveyed urban unemployment rate averaged 5.2%, lower than the expected control target of around 5.5%, with 12.67 million new urban jobs created. Stable economic growth and a stable employment situation drove the per capita disposable income of residents to increase by 5.0% in real terms compared to the previous year, keeping pace with economic growth. "By deeply implementing the employment-first strategy and increasing support for stabilizing employment, the overall employment situation remained stable, providing a foundational support for the improvement of people's livelihoods," Sheng Laiyun said.
The consolidation rate of nine-year compulsory education and the gross enrollment rate for senior high school reached 96.1% and 92.0% respectively. By year-end, the number of beds in national healthcare institutions and health technical personnel reached 10.09 million and 13.4 million respectively. The per capita sports场地 area increased to 3.1 square meters by year-end... Social undertakings including education, health, culture, and sports progressed comprehensively, better meeting people's new expectations for a better life.
2026 is the first year of the 15th Five-Year Plan. Since the beginning of the year, a series of data indicators have released positive signals about economic operations – during the recent Spring Festival holiday, the average daily sales of key retail and catering enterprises nationwide increased by 5.7% compared to the 2025 Spring Festival holiday, with the growth rate accelerating by 1.6 percentage points. In January, the increment in aggregate financing to the real economy reached 7.22 trillion yuan, a record high for the same period. By the end of January, China's foreign exchange reserves stood at $3,399.1 billion, an increase of 1.23% from the end of December 2025...
"As the curtain rises on the 15th Five-Year Plan period, it is essential to anchor the primary task of high-quality development, maintain confidence, leverage advantages, address challenges, continuously consolidate the foundation for high-quality development, and ensure a good start and steady progress for the '15th Five-Year Plan'," Sheng Laiyun said.