China's Economy Grows 5% in 2025 Amid Structural Challenges
China's economy expanded by 5 percent in 2025, marking one of its weakest growth rates in decades, according to official data. The National Bureau of Statistics reported a 4.5 percent growth in the final quarter of 2025, down from 4.8 percent in the previous quarter. The country faced challenges, including weak domestic spending and a prolonged property slump, despite a record trade surplus of nearly $1.2 trillion driven by exports to non-U.S. markets. Analysts predict growth will slow to 4.5 percent in 2026, prompting calls for more stimulus to address structural vulnerabilities. The government aims to increase household consumption's share of the economy, currently at about 40 percent, to 45 percent by 2030. Upcoming data is expected to show weakened consumption and improved factory output.
Published 23 hours ago • 19 Jan 2026, 07:58 AM IST