The graph shows the Consumer Price Index (CPI) in China as of December 2024, by sector and area. That month, the CPI for transportation and communication in urban areas resided at 97.7 index points. Measuring inflation The Consumer Price Index (CPI) is an economic indicator that measures changes in the price level of a representative basket of consumer goods and services. It is calculated by taking price changes for each item in the market basket and averaging them. Goods and services are weighted according to their significance. The CPI can be used to assess the price changes related to the cost of living. It is also useful for identifying periods of inflation and deflation. A significant rise in CPI during a short period of time denotes inflation and a significant drop during a short period of time suggests deflation. Development of inflation in China Annual projections of China’s inflation rate forecast by the IMF estimate a relatively low increase in prices in the coming years. The implications of low inflation are two-fold for a national economy. On the one hand, price levels remain largely stable which may lead to equal or increased spending levels by domestic consumers. On the other hand, low inflation signifies an expansion slowdown of the economy, as is reflected by China’s gross domestic product growth. In recent years, inflation rates in rural areas have on average been slightly higher than in the cities. This reflects a shift of economic growth from the largest cities and coastal regions to the inner provinces and the countryside. Higher price levels in rural areas in turn relate to higher inflation rates of food products.

Consumer Price Index CPI in China increased to 103.70 points in January from 102.90 points in December of 2024. This dataset provides - China Consumer Price Index (CPI) - actual values, historical data, forecast, chart, statistics, economic calendar and news.

Key information about China Consumer Price Index CPI growth

• China Consumer Price Index (CPI) growth was measured at -0.7 % YoY in Feb 2025, compared with a rate of 0.5 % in the previous month.
• China Consumer Price Index growth data is updated monthly, available from Jan 1985 to Feb 2025, with an averaged number of 2.5 % YoY.
• The data reached an all-time high of 28.4 % YoY in Feb 1989 and a record low of -2.2 % YoY in May 1999.

A regional breakdown of the Consumer Price Index (CPI) in China reveals considerable variations across different regions. In December 2024, Hainan province displayed a CPI of about 98.4 points (same month previous year = 100), whereas the CPI in Tibet reached 101.2 points. Consumer price development in China The Consumer Price Index measures the average changes over time in the price level of a market basket of consumer goods and services purchased by consumers. It is closely related to the inflation rate. The consumer inflation rate is derived from the annual percentage increase of the CPI. After 2011, China experienced a slight decrease in domestic inflation. Between 2014 and 2018, the annual inflation rate ranged at around two percent or lower. In 2019, inflation increased again to 2.9 percent and remained high during 2020, but is forcast to decrease in the coming years. Monthly inflation rates peaked at 5.4 percent in January 2020 due to the coronavirus pandemic, but declined quickly in the following months and reached negative values in November 2020. Regional and sectoral inflation rates In recent years, inflation rates in the largest cities and developed regions often remained below those in developing regions in the inner provinces. The CPI in rural regions was on average slightly higher than in urban areas. The annual CPI of food, tobacco and liquor in China ranged among the highest during 2020 - mainly driven by rising pork and meat prices, whereas the transportation and communication’s CPI was one of the lowest. With the travel sector recovering from the coronavirus pandemic in the first half of 2021, monthly prices for transportation started to increase again.

The graph shows the Consumer Price Index (CPI) in China as of February 2025, by sector and area. That month, the CPI for transportation and communication in urban areas resided at 97.3 index points. Measuring inflation The Consumer Price Index (CPI) is an economic indicator that measures changes in the price level of a representative basket of consumer goods and services. It is calculated by taking price changes for each item in the market basket and averaging them. Goods and services are weighted according to their significance. The CPI can be used to assess the price changes related to the cost of living. It is also useful for identifying periods of inflation and deflation. A significant rise in CPI during a short period of time denotes inflation and a significant drop during a short period of time suggests deflation. Development of inflation in China Annual projections of China’s inflation rate forecast by the IMF estimate a relatively low increase in prices in the coming years. The implications of low inflation are two-fold for a national economy. On the one hand, price levels remain largely stable which may lead to equal or increased spending levels by domestic consumers. On the other hand, low inflation signifies an expansion slowdown of the economy, as is reflected by China’s gross domestic product growth. In recent years, inflation rates in rural areas have on average been slightly higher than in the cities. This reflects a shift of economic growth from the largest cities and coastal regions to the inner provinces and the countryside. Higher price levels in rural areas in turn relate to higher inflation rates of food products.

A regional breakdown of the Consumer Price Index (CPI) in China reveals considerable variations across different regions. In February 2025, Beijing municipality displayed a CPI of about 98.7 points (same month previous year = 100), whereas the CPI in Tibet reached 100.1 points. Consumer price development in China The Consumer Price Index measures the average changes over time in the price level of a market basket of consumer goods and services purchased by consumers. It is closely related to the inflation rate. The consumer inflation rate is derived from the annual percentage increase of the CPI. After 2011, China experienced a slight decrease in domestic inflation. Between 2014 and 2018, the annual inflation rate ranged at around two percent or lower. In 2019, inflation increased again to 2.9 percent and remained high during 2020, but is forcast to decrease in the coming years. Monthly inflation rates peaked at 5.4 percent in January 2020 due to the coronavirus pandemic, but declined quickly in the following months and reached negative values in November 2020. Regional and sectoral inflation rates In recent years, inflation rates in the largest cities and developed regions often remained below those in developing regions in the inner provinces. The CPI in rural regions was on average slightly higher than in urban areas. The annual CPI of food, tobacco and liquor in China ranged among the highest during 2020 - mainly driven by rising pork and meat prices, whereas the transportation and communication’s CPI was one of the lowest. With the travel sector recovering from the coronavirus pandemic in the first half of 2021, monthly prices for transportation started to increase again.

Inflation Rate in China decreased to -0.70 percent in February from 0.50 percent in January of 2025. This dataset provides - China Inflation Rate - actual values, historical data, forecast, chart, statistics, economic calendar and news.

China Consumer Price Index (CPI): Expected Inflation data was reported at 3.000 % in 2019. This stayed constant from the previous number of 3.000 % for 2018. China Consumer Price Index (CPI): Expected Inflation data is updated yearly, averaging 3.000 % from Dec 2005 (Median) to 2019, with 15 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 4.800 % in 2008 and a record low of 3.000 % in 2019. China Consumer Price Index (CPI): Expected Inflation data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by The Central People's Government. The data is categorized under China Premium Database’s Inflation – Table CN.IA: Consumer Price Index.

CPI: TC: Communication: Communication Service data was reported at 100.000 Prev Year=100 in Feb 2025. This stayed constant from the previous number of 100.000 Prev Year=100 for Jan 2025. CPI: TC: Communication: Communication Service data is updated monthly, averaging 99.700 Prev Year=100 from Jan 2005 (Median) to Feb 2025, with 242 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 100.800 Prev Year=100 in Sep 2007 and a record low of 98.300 Prev Year=100 in Oct 2018. CPI: TC: Communication: Communication Service data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by National Bureau of Statistics. The data is categorized under China Premium Database’s Inflation – Table CN.IA: Consumer Price Index: Same Month PY=100.

CN: CPI: Industrial Consumable data was reported at 99.800 Prev Year=100 in Jan 2025. This records an increase from the previous number of 99.600 Prev Year=100 for Aug 2024. CN: CPI: Industrial Consumable data is updated monthly, averaging 100.850 Prev Year=100 from Feb 2020 (Median) to Jan 2025, with 24 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 103.900 Prev Year=100 in Nov 2021 and a record low of 97.300 Prev Year=100 in Jun 2023. CN: CPI: Industrial Consumable data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by National Bureau of Statistics. The data is categorized under China Premium Database’s Inflation – Table CN.IA: Consumer Price Index: Same Month PY=100.

This dataset contains China Consumer Price Index by Category (The same month last year=100).

Data from National Bureau of Statistics China. Follow datasource.kapsarc.org for timely data to advance energy economics research.

Notes:

1.According to the regulations of the statistical system, China's CPI rotates at a base period every five years. After each base period rotation, the survey classification catalogue, representative specifications and survey outlets are adjusted, and the classification weights are also changed to reflect the latest changes in the residents' consumption structure.2.The CPI compiled and released from January 2016 to December 2020 was based on 2015. Compared with the previous base periods , the eight categories of this base period have significant changes. Among them, "Food", "Tobacco and Alcohol" are merged into "Food, Tobacco and Alcohol", "Health Care and Personal Articles" is split into "Household Articles and Services", "Health Care" and "Miscellaneous Goods and Services", "Recreation, Education, Cultural Articles" is split into "Education, Culture and Recreation" and "Miscellaneous Goods and Services", "Household Facilities, Articles and Services" is split into "Articles for Daily Use and Services" and "Miscellaneous Goods and Services". In addition, the index connotation of "Food" has changed. The "Food" in the previous base periods is a broad category, including grain, meat and poultry, fresh vegetables, fresh fruits, aquatic products, tea and beverages, and dining out; this base period "Food" is the medium category under the "Food, Tobacco and Alcohol" category, which only includes grain, livestock meat, poultry meat, fresh vegetables, fresh fruits, aquatic products, etc., and no longer includes "tea and beverages" and "dining out" .3.From January 2021, the CPI based on 2020 is compiled and released. This new base period is still divided into eight categories: "Food, Tobacco and Alcohol", "Clothing", "Residence", "Household Articles and Services"," Transportation and Communication", "Education, Culture and Recreation", "Health Care", "Miscellaneous Goods and Services", and the basic category has increased to 268.

In February 2025, the monthly inflation rate in China ranged at -0.7 percent compared to the same month in the previous year. Inflation had peaked at 2.8 percent in September 2022, but eased thereafter. The annual average inflation rate in China ranged at 0.2 percent in 2024. China’s inflation in comparison The term inflation means the devaluation of money caused by a permanent increase of the price level for products such as consumer or investment goods. The inflation rate is most commonly measured by the Consumer Price Index. The Consumer Price Index shows the price development for private expenses based on a basket of products representing the consumption of an average consumer household. Compared to other major economies in the world, China has a moderate and stable level of inflation. The inflation in China is on average lower than in other BRIC countries, although China enjoys higher economic growth rates. Inflation rates of developed regions in the world had for a long time been lower than in China, but that picture changed fundamentally during the coronavirus pandemic with most developed countries experiencing quickly rising consumer prices. Regional inflation rates in China In China, there is a regional difference in inflation rates. As of August 2023, Anhui province experienced the highest CPI growth, while Ningxia reported the lowest. In recent years, inflation rates in rural areas have often been slightly higher than in the cities. According to the National Bureau of Statistics of China, inflation was mainly fueled by a surge in prices for food and micellaneous items and services in recent months. The price gain in other sectors was comparatively slight. Transport prices have decreased recently, but had grown significantly in 2021 and 2022.

According to latest figures published by the National Bureau of Statistics of China, the average annual inflation rate in China ranged at around 0.2 percent in 2024 compared to the previous year. This was lower than formerly expected by the IMF. For 2025, projections by the IMF published in October 2024 expected the inflation rate to reach around 1.7 percent. The monthly inflation rate in China dropped to negative values in the second half of 2023 and remained comparatively low in 2024. Calculation of inflation The inflation rate is calculated based on the Consumer Price Index (CPI) for China. The CPI is computed using a product basket that contains a predefined range of products and services on which the average consumer spends money throughout the year. Included are expenses for groceries, clothes, rent, power, telecommunications, recreational activities, and raw materials (e.g. gas, oil), as well as federal fees and taxes. The product basked is adjusted every five years to reflect changes in consumer preference and has been updated in 2020 for the last time. The inflation rate is then calculated using changes in the CPI. As the inflation of a country is seen as a key economic indicator, it is frequently used for international comparison. China's inflation in comparison Among the main industrialized and emerging economies worldwide, China displayed comparatively low inflation in 2023 and 2024. In previous years, China's inflation ranged marginally above the inflation rates of established industrialized powerhouses such as the United States or the European Union. However, this changed in 2021, as inflation rates in developed countries rose quickly, while prices in China only increased moderately. According to IMF estimates for 2024, Zimbabwe was expected to be the country with the highest inflation rate, with a consumer price increase of about 561 percent compared to 2023. In 2023, Turkmenistan had the lowest price increase worldwide with prices actually decreasing by about 1.7 percent.

Graph and download economic data for Prices: Consumer Price Index for China, P.R.: Hong Kong (HKGPCPIPCPPPT) from 1990 to 2029 about Hong Kong, consumer prices, China, consumer, rate, and indexes.

CN: CPI: Freshwater Fish data was reported at 103.300 Prev Year=100 in Jun 2024. This records a decrease from the previous number of 116.700 Prev Year=100 for Jan 2022. CN: CPI: Freshwater Fish data is updated monthly, averaging 123.200 Prev Year=100 from May 2021 (Median) to Jun 2024, with 10 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 133.700 Prev Year=100 in Jun 2021 and a record low of 103.300 Prev Year=100 in Jun 2024. CN: CPI: Freshwater Fish data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by National Bureau of Statistics. The data is categorized under China Premium Database’s Inflation – Table CN.IA: Consumer Price Index: Same Month PY=100.

China Consumer Price Index (CPI): Urban: Residence: Rent data was reported at 102.900 Prev Year=100 in Dec 2015. This records a decrease from the previous number of 103.000 Prev Year=100 for Nov 2015. China Consumer Price Index (CPI): Urban: Residence: Rent data is updated monthly, averaging 103.100 Prev Year=100 from Jan 2005 (Median) to Dec 2015, with 132 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 108.200 Prev Year=100 in Mar 2011 and a record low of 100.300 Prev Year=100 in Jan 2006. China Consumer Price Index (CPI): Urban: Residence: Rent data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by National Bureau of Statistics. The data is categorized under China Premium Database’s Inflation – Table CN.IA: Consumer Price Index: Urban: Same Month PY=100.

China Consumer Price Index (CPI): MoM: Education Culture & Entertainment (ECE) data was reported at 99.500 Prev Mth=100 in Feb 2025. This records a decrease from the previous number of 101.500 Prev Mth=100 for Jan 2025. China Consumer Price Index (CPI): MoM: Education Culture & Entertainment (ECE) data is updated monthly, averaging 100.100 Prev Mth=100 from Jan 2016 (Median) to Feb 2025, with 110 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 101.800 Prev Mth=100 in Feb 2018 and a record low of 97.900 Prev Mth=100 in Mar 2024. China Consumer Price Index (CPI): MoM: Education Culture & Entertainment (ECE) data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by National Bureau of Statistics. The data is categorized under China Premium Database’s Inflation – Table CN.IA: Consumer Price Index: Previous Month=100.

Consumer Price Index (CPI): Beijing: Residence data was reported at 100.200 Prev Year=100 in 2024. This records a decrease from the previous number of 100.300 Prev Year=100 for 2023. Consumer Price Index (CPI): Beijing: Residence data is updated yearly, averaging 103.215 Prev Year=100 from Dec 1994 (Median) to 2024, with 31 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 129.200 Prev Year=100 in 1996 and a record low of 89.800 Prev Year=100 in 2009. Consumer Price Index (CPI): Beijing: Residence data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by National Bureau of Statistics. The data is categorized under China Premium Database’s Inflation – Table CN.IA: Consumer Price Index: Beijing.

China Consumer Price Index (CPI): MoM: Clothing: Shoe data was reported at 100.100 Prev Mth=100 in Feb 2025. This records an increase from the previous number of 99.700 Prev Mth=100 for Jan 2025. China Consumer Price Index (CPI): MoM: Clothing: Shoe data is updated monthly, averaging 100.000 Prev Mth=100 from Jan 2016 (Median) to Feb 2025, with 110 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 101.000 Prev Mth=100 in Sep 2020 and a record low of 99.500 Prev Mth=100 in Jul 2024. China Consumer Price Index (CPI): MoM: Clothing: Shoe data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by National Bureau of Statistics. The data is categorized under China Premium Database’s Inflation – Table CN.IA: Consumer Price Index: Previous Month=100.

CN: CPI: Air Ticket data was reported at 77.400 Prev Year=100 in Feb 2025. This records a decrease from the previous number of 108.900 Prev Year=100 for Jan 2025. CN: CPI: Air Ticket data is updated monthly, averaging 114.350 Prev Year=100 from Feb 2021 (Median) to Feb 2025, with 30 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 153.500 Prev Year=100 in Jul 2021 and a record low of 71.800 Prev Year=100 in Feb 2021. CN: CPI: Air Ticket data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by National Bureau of Statistics. The data is categorized under China Premium Database’s Inflation – Table CN.IA: Consumer Price Index: Same Month PY=100.