In 2024, the gross domestic product (GDP) of China amounted to around 18.7 trillion U.S. dollars. In comparison to the GDP of the other BRIC countries India, Russia and Brazil, China came first that year and second in the world GDP ranking. The stagnation of China's GDP in U.S. dollar terms in 2022 and 2023 was mainly due to the appreciation of the U.S. dollar. China's real GDP growth was 3.1 percent in 2022 and 5.4 percent in 2023. In 2024, per capita GDP in China reached around 13,300 U.S. dollars. Economic performance in China Gross domestic product (GDP) is a primary economic indicator. It measures the total value of all goods and services produced in an economy over a certain time period. China's economy used to grow quickly in the past, but the growth rate of China’s real GDP gradually slowed down in recent years, and year-on-year GDP growth is forecasted to range at only around four percent in the years after 2024. Since 2010, China has been the world’s second-largest economy, surpassing Japan.China’s emergence in the world’s economy has a lot to do with its status as the ‘world’s factory’. Since 2013, China is the largest export country in the world. Some argue that it is partly due to the undervalued Chinese currency. The Big Mac Index, a simplified and informal way to measure the purchasing power parity between different currencies, indicates that the Chinese currency yuan was roughly undervalued by 38 percent in 2024. GDP development Although the impressive economic development in China has led millions of people out of poverty, China is still not in the league of industrialized countries on the per capita basis. To name one example, the U.S. per capita economic output was more than six times as large as in China in 2024. Meanwhile, the Chinese society faces increased income disparities. The Gini coefficient of China, a widely used indicator of economic inequality, has been larger than 0.45 over the last decade, whereas 0.40 is the warning level for social unrest.

The Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in China was worth 17794.78 billion US dollars in 2023, according to official data from the World Bank. The GDP value of China represents 16.88 percent of the world economy. This dataset provides - China GDP - actual values, historical data, forecast, chart, statistics, economic calendar and news.

According to preliminary figures, the growth of real gross domestic product (GDP) in China amounted to 5.0 percent in 2024. For 2025, the IMF expects a GDP growth rate of around 3.95 percent. Real GDP growth The current gross domestic product is an important indicator of the economic strength of a country. It refers to the total market value of all goods and services that are produced within a country per year. When analyzing year-on-year changes, the current GDP is adjusted for inflation, thus making it constant. Real GDP growth is regarded as a key indicator for economic growth as it incorporates constant GDP figures. As of 2024, China was among the leading countries with the largest gross domestic product worldwide, second only to the United States which had a GDP volume of almost 29.2 trillion U.S. dollars. The Chinese GDP has shown remarkable growth over the past years. Upon closer examination of the distribution of GDP across economic sectors, a gradual shift from an economy heavily based on industrial production towards an economy focused on services becomes visible, with the service industry outpacing the manufacturing sector in terms of GDP contribution. Key indicator balance of trade Another important indicator for economic assessment is the balance of trade, which measures the relationship between imports and exports of a nation. As an economy heavily reliant on manufacturing and industrial production, China has reached a trade surplus over the last decade, with a total trade balance of around 992 billion U.S. dollars in 2024.

Between 2005 and 2020, the GDP of China grew from 2.3 trillion to 14.9 trillion U.S. dollars. During the same time period the GDP of the United States grew from 13 trillion to 20.8 trillion dollars. It is estimated that, by 2030, China will overtake the U.S. as the world's largest economy, with a GDP of 33.7 trillion dollars, compared to 30.5 trillion dollars; this margin of more than three trillion is predicted to increase to almost 13 trillion over the subsequent five year period.

The graph shows per capita gross domestic product (GDP) in China until 2024, with forecasts until 2030. In 2024, per capita GDP reached around 13,300 U.S. dollars in China. That year, the overall GDP of China had amounted to 18.7 trillion U.S. dollars. Per capita GDP in China Gross domestic product is a commonly-used economic indicator for measuring the state of a country's economy. GDP is the total market value of goods and services produced in a country within a given period of time, usually a year. Per capita GDP is defined as the GDP divided by the total number of people in the country. This indicator is generally used to compare the economic prosperity of countries with varying population sizes.In 2010, China overtook Japan and became the world’s second-largest economy. As of 2024, it was the largest exporter and the second largest importer in the world. However, one reason behind its economic strength lies within its population size. China has to distribute its wealth among 1.4 billion people. By 2023, China's per capita GDP was only about one fourth as large as that of main industrialized countries. When compared to other emerging markets, China ranked second among BRIC countries in terms of GDP per capita. Future development According to projections by the IMF, per capita GDP in China will escalate from around 13,300 U.S. dollars in 2024 to 18,600 U.S. dollars in 2030. Major reasons for this are comparatively high economic growth rates combined with negative population growth. China's economic structure is also undergoing changes. A major trend lies in the shift from an industry-based to a service-based economy.

Key information about China Government Debt: % of GDP

• China Government debt accounted for 25.6 % of the country's Nominal GDP in Dec 2024, compared with the ratio of 25.1 % in the previous quarter.
• China government debt to GDP ratio data is updated quarterly, available from Mar 2014 to Dec 2024.
• The data reached an all-time high of 25.6 % in Dec 2024 and a record low of 14.0 % in Mar 2014.

CEIC calculates quarterly Government Debt as % of Nominal GDP from quarterly Government Debt and rolling sum of quarterly Nominal GDP. The Ministry of Finance provides Government Debt in local currency. The National Bureau of Statistics provides Nominal GDP in local currency. Government Debt covers Central Government only.


Related information about China Government Debt: % of GDP

• In the latest reports, China National Government Debt reached 4,230.0 USD bn in Dec 2023.
• The country's Nominal GDP reached 4,166.8 USD bn in Mar 2023.

In 2025, the United States had the largest economy in the world, with a gross domestic product of over 30 trillion U.S. dollars. China had the second largest economy, at around 19.23 trillion U.S. dollars. Recent adjustments in the list have seen Germany's economy overtake Japan's to become the third-largest in the world in 2023, while Brazil's economy moved ahead of Russia's in 2024. Global gross domestic product Global gross domestic product amounts to almost 110 trillion U.S. dollars, with the United States making up more than one-quarter of this figure alone. The 12 largest economies in the world include all Group of Seven (G7) economies, as well as the four largest BRICS economies. The U.S. has consistently had the world's largest economy since the interwar period, and while previous reports estimated it would be overtaken by China in the 2020s, more recent projections estimate the U.S. economy will remain the largest by a considerable margin going into the 2030s.The gross domestic product of a country is calculated by taking spending and trade into account, to show how much the country can produce in a certain amount of time, usually per year. It represents the value of all goods and services produced during that year. Those countries considered to have emerging or developing economies account for almost 60 percent of global gross domestic product, while advanced economies make up over 40 percent.

According to preliminary data, the agricultural sector contributed around 6.8 percent to the gross domestic product (GDP) of China in 2024, whereas 36.5 percent of the economic value added originated from the industrial sector and 54.6 percent from the service sector, respectively. The total GDP of China at current prices amounted to approximately 134.91 trillion yuan in 2024. Economic development in China The gross domestic product (GDP) serves as a primary indicator to measure the economic performance of a country or a region. It is generally defined as the monetary value of all finished goods and services produced within a country in a specific period of time. It includes all of private and public spending, government spending, investments, and net exports which are calculated as total exports minus imports. In other words, GDP represents the size of the economy.With its national economy growing at an exceptional annual growth rate of above nine percent for three decades in succession, China had become the worlds’ second largest economy by 2010, surpassing all other economies but the United States. Even though China's GDP growth has cooled down in recent years, its economy still expanded at roughly two times the pace of the United States in 2024. Breakdown of GDP in China When compared to other developed countries, the proportions of agriculture and industry in China's GDP are significantly higher. Even though agriculture is a major industry in the United States, it only accounted for about one percent of the economy in 2023. While the service sector contributed to more than 70 percent of the economy in most developed countries, it's share was considerably lower in China. This was not only due to China's lower development level, but also to the country’s focus on manufacturing and export. However, as the future limitations of this growth model become more and more apparent, China is trying to shift it's economic focus to the high-tech and service sectors. Accordingly, growth rates of the service sector have been considerably higher than in industry and agriculture in the years before the spread of the coronavirus pandemic.

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Economic Titans

China's robust economic landscape is illuminated by the remarkable growth and development of its major cities. These metropolises are not only central to China's domestic economy but also play a significant role in the global economic arena. This comprehensive analysis delves into the unique characteristics and contributions of each city, highlighting their individual and collective impact on China's economic prowess.

Beijing, the capital city, is a political and cultural hub with a GDP of 4.47 trillion yuan. Its economic strength lies in its diverse sectors, including technology, finance, and manufacturing. The city's blend of historical significance and modern innovation makes it a key player in China's economic narrative.

Shanghai, known for its stunning skyline and bustling ports, matches Beijing with a GDP of 4.47 trillion yuan. As a global financial center, Shanghai's influence extends beyond its borders, attracting international businesses and fostering global trade.

Guangzhou, with a GDP of 12.9 trillion yuan, is a testament to the economic transformation of southern China. This city is a manufacturing and commercial powerhouse, renowned for its trade fairs and robust export sector.

Shenzhen, a city that epitomizes China's economic reform, boasts a GDP of 3.24 trillion yuan. Known as China's Silicon Valley, it is home to numerous high-tech companies and start-ups, driving innovation and technological advancements.

Chengdu, with its GDP of 2.08 trillion yuan, is an emerging economic center in western China. It is known for its favorable business environment and growing sectors in information technology and automotive manufacturing.

Hangzhou, famous for its natural beauty and historical landmarks, has a GDP of 3.97 trillion yuan. The city is the birthplace of Alibaba and has become a hub for e-commerce and tech industries.

Wuhan, a central Chinese city with a GDP of 1.88 trillion yuan, plays a crucial role in China's transportation and manufacturing sectors. Its strategic location makes it a key link in China's domestic supply chain.

Tianjin, with a GDP of 1.57 trillion yuan, is a vital port city in northern China. It has a strong industrial base, with a focus on aerospace, petrochemicals, and automotive industries.

Chongqing, another major city in western China, boasts a GDP of 2.91 trillion yuan. It is known for its automotive and electronics industries, as well as being a significant logistics hub.

Xi'an, with a GDP of 1.15 trillion yuan, is not only a city rich in history but also a growing economic center, particularly in software and aerospace industries.

Nanjing, with a GDP of 1.635532 trillion yuan, is a key educational and research hub, contributing to sectors like electronics and automotive manufacturing.

Suzhou, known for its classical gardens and GDP of 2.4 trillion yuan, excels in high-tech manufacturing and has become a magnet for foreign investment.

Qingdao, with a GDP of 1.49 trillion yuan, is a significant port city known for its beer industry and maritime sector.

Shenyang, an industrial city with a GDP of 769.58 billion yuan, has strengths in equipment manufacturing and is a vital part of the Northeast Revitalization Plan.

Dalian, with a GDP of 119.76 billion yuan, is a key port and trade city, known for its shipping, logistics, and financial services.

These cities collectively form the backbone of China's economic strength, showcasing the country's remarkable transformation and its ongoing journey towards becoming an economic superpower. The blend of traditional industries with cutting-edge technology and innovation in these cities underlines China's ability to balance its rich cultural heritage with its ambitious economic goals.

In the first quarter of 2025, the growth of the real gross domestic product (GDP) in China ranged at 5.4 percent compared to the same quarter of the previous year. GDP refers to the total market value of all goods and services that are produced within a country per year. It is an important indicator of the economic strength of a country. Real GDP is adjusted for price changes and is therefore regarded as a key indicator for economic growth. GDP growth in China In 2024, China ranged second among countries with the largest gross domestic product worldwide. Since the introduction of economic reforms in 1978, the country has experienced rapid social and economic development. In 2013, it became the world’s largest trading nation, overtaking the United States. However, per capita GDP in China was still much lower than that of industrialized countries. Until 2011, the annual growth rate of China’s GDP had constantly been above nine percent. However, economic growth has cooled down since and is projected to further slow down gradually in the future. Rising domestic wages and the competitive edge of other Asian and African countries are seen as main reasons for the stuttering in China’s economic engine. One strategy of the Chinese government to overcome this transition is a gradual shift of economic focus from industrial production to services. Challenges to GDP growth Another major challenge lies in the massive environmental pollution that China’s reckless economic growth has caused over the past decades. China’s development has been powered mostly by coal consumption, which resulted in high air pollution. To counteract industrial pollution, further investments in waste management and clean technologies are necessary. In 2017, about 1.15 percent of GDP was spent on pollution control. Surging environmental costs aside, environmental issues could also be a key to industrial transition as China placed major investments in renewable energy and clean tech projects. The consumption of green energy skyrocketed from 0.52 exajoules in 2005 to 13.3 million in 2022.

Regional gross domestic product (GDP) in China varies tremendously across the country. In 2024, the GDP of Guangdong province amounted to around 14.2 trillion yuan, whereas that of Tibet only reached about 276.5 billion yuan. While Guangdong has a thriving economy and is densely populated, Tibet is located in a remote mountain area and has a population of only around 3.5 million people. Regional economic differences in China China can generally be divided into four different economic macro-regions: the economically well-developed coastal parts in Eastern China, the less-developed Central and Northeastern China, and the developing region of Western China. This division is reflected in the figures for regional per capita GDP. The coastal parts of China are not only economically more advanced, but also have a considerably higher population density. This is the result of climatic conditions on the one hand and China's firm integration into the global economy on the other. International companies were initially attracted by special economic zones set up in coastal areas during China's market opening, and well-connected, highly developed urban areas of Eastern China are still favored by international businesses. Prospects for future development The Chinese government has long since been aware of the economic disparities in the country and the political unrest they might stir. Major efforts have been made to improve the conditions in less developed regions. The situation in Central and Western China has improved considerably in the last two decades, and rural poverty decreased on a striking scale. In recent years, growth rates in the west of China have even been higher than in coastal areas. However, the constraints of the global economy remain, and it is very likely that Eastern China will stay ahead in international markets in the foreseeable future.

Since the beginning of the 21st century, the BRICS countries have been considered the five foremost developing economies in the world. Originally, the term BRIC was used by economists when talking about the emerging economies of Brazil, Russia, India, and China, however these countries have held annual summits since 2009, and the group has expanded to include South Africa since 2010. China has the largest GDP of the BRICS country, at 16.86 trillion U.S. dollars in 2021, while the others are all below three trillion. Combined, the BRICS bloc has a GDP over 25.85 trillion U.S. dollars in 2022, which is slightly more than the United States. BRICS economic development China has consistently been the largest economy of this bloc, and its rapid growth has seen it become the second largest economy in the world, behind the U.S.. China's growth has also been much faster than the other BRICS countries; for example, when compared with the second largest BRICS economy, its GDP was less than double the size of Brazil's in 2000, but is almost six times larger than India's in 2021. Since 2000, the country with the second largest GDP has fluctuated between Brazil, Russia, and India, due to a variety of factors, although India has held this position since 2015 (when the other two experienced recession), and it's growth rate is on track to surpass China's in the coming decade. South Africa has consistently had the smallest economy of the BRICS bloc, and it has just the third largest economy in Africa; its inclusion in this group is due to the fact that it is the most advanced and stable major economy in Africa, and it holds strategic importance due to the financial potential of the continent in the coming decades. Future developments It is predicted that China's GDP will overtake that of the U.S. by the end of the 2020s, to become the largest economy in the world, while some also estimate that India will also overtake the U.S. around the middle of the century. Additionally, the BRICS group is more than just an economic or trading bloc, and its New Development Bank was established in 2014 to invest in sustainable infrastructure and renewable energy across the globe. While relations between its members were often strained or of less significance in the 20th century, their current initiatives have given them a much greater international influence. The traditional great powers represented in the Group of Seven (G7) have seen their international power wane in recent decades, while BRICS countries have seen theirs grow, especially on a regional level. Today, the original BRIC countries combine with the Group of Seven (G7), to make up 11 of the world's 12 largest economies, but it is predicted that they will move further up on this list in the coming decades.

In 2023, the gross domestic product (GDP) of Yunnan province in China amounted to approximately 3.0 trillion yuan, compared to about 2.86 trillion yuan in the previous year. Yunnan province is situated in the southwest of China, at the border to Myanmar, Laos and Vietnam. The capital of the province is Kunming.

Key information about China External Debt

• China External Debt reached 2,516.9 USD bn in Sep 2024, compared with 2,545.3 USD bn in the previous quarter.
• China External Debt: USD mn data is updated quarterly, available from Jun 2003 to Sep 2024.
• The data reached an all-time high of 2,746.6 USD bn in Dec 2021 and a record low of 182.6 USD bn in Jun 2003.

The State Administration of Foreign Exchange provides quartely External Debt in USD.


Related information about China External Debt

• In the latest reports of China, Current Account recorded a surplus of 147.6 USD bn in Sep 2024.
• Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) fell by 8.3 USD bn in Sep 2024.
• China Direct Investment Abroad expanded by 34.5 USD bn in Sep 2024.
• Its Foreign Portfolio Investment increased by 24.0 USD bn in Sep 2024.
• The country's Nominal GDP was reported at 4,166.8 USD bn in Mar 2023.

China's digital economy has been growing rapidly in recent years. In 2023, the economy reached a size of nearly 54 trillion yuan, registering a nominal year-on-year growth of 10.3 percent, much higher than the country's nominal GDP growth at 7.4 percent. The digital economy accounted for around 43 percent of China's GDP.

In 2023, the gross domestic product (GDP) of Hunan province in China amounted to approximately 5.0 trillion yuan. Hunan province is situated in the southern center of China, next to Hubei province in the north. The capital of the province is Changsha.

Key information about China Total Deposits

• China Total Deposits was reported at 42,328.470 USD bn in Jan 2025
• This records an increase from the previous number of 41,408.600 USD bn for Dec 2024
• China Total Deposits data is updated monthly, averaging 10,882.393 USD bn from Jan 1997 to Jan 2025, with 337 observations
• The data reached an all-time high of 42,875.380 USD bn in Sep 2024 and a record low of 819.403 USD bn in Jan 1997
• China Total Deposits data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by CEIC Data
• The data is categorized under World Trend Plus’s Global Economic Monitor – Table: Total Deposits: USD: Monthly

CEIC converts monthly Total Deposits into USD. The People's Bank of China provides Total Deposit in local currency. The Federal Reserve Board period end market exchange rate is used for currency conversions. Total Deposits covers all financial institutions.

China's total Imports in 2023 were valued at US$2.56 Trillion, according to the United Nations COMTRADE database on international trade. China's main import partners were: the United States, South Korea and Japan. The top three import commodities were: Electrical, electronic equipment; Mineral fuels, oils, distillation products and Ores slag and ash. Total Exports were valued at US$3.38 Trillion. In 2023, China had a trade surplus of US$822.98 Billion.

In 2023, Shanghai was the city with the largest GDP in China, reaching a value added of approximately 4.7 trillion yuan. The four Chinese first-tier cites Beijing, Shanghai, Shenzhen, and Guangzhou had by far the strongest economic performance. Development of Chinese cities Rapid urbanization and economic growth have reshaped all Chinese cities since the economic opening up of China. While the first-tier cities have overall benefitted most from this development, the last two decades have seen many second-tier cities catching up. For many years already, growth rates in Qingdao, Hangzhou, Changsha, and Zhengzhou have been higher than in Shanghai or Beijing.This development was driven by lower costs in smaller cities, a specialization of their economies, and political measures to support inland cities and ease the pressure on the largest municipalities. Today, per capita GDP in cities such as Suzhou, Nanjing, and Shenzhen is already higher than in Beijing or Shanghai. Future perspectives Competition between cities will further change China’s urban landscape in the future. Medium-sized cities that can provide an attractive economic environment have the potential to grow their economy at a faster pace, attract immigration, and further increase their relative importance. Cities that are losing their competitive edge, however, like Shenyang, Dalian, and other cities in the northeastern rustbelt, are increasingly confronted by economic stagnation and demographic decline.

In 2024, China exported approximately 3.58 trillion U.S. dollars worth of goods. This indicated an increase in export value of about 5.9 percent compared to the previous year. Export of goods from ChinaChina’s exports have been growing steadily over the past decade, with the exception of 2009 when financial crisis and global economic downturn slowed down global trade and 2016 witnessing another decrease in global demand. Apart from being the most populous country, China has also become the largest manufacturing economy and the largest exporter in the world. ASEAN, European Union, and United States were China's leading export partners in 2023. Machinery such as computers, broadcasting technology, and telephones as well as transport equipment make up the largest part of Chinese exports. This category amounted to approximately 1.65 trillion U.S. dollars in export value in 2023. When it comes to primary goods, food and live animals used for food are the main export products.