China's annual economic output exceeded 140 trillion yuan for the first time in 2025. Urban areas added 12.67 million new jobs, while an average of 26,000 new enterprises were established daily. The National Bureau of Statistics released the 2025 Statistical Communique on National Economic and Social Development on February 28, with a series of indicators demonstrating the stability, progress, and resilience of the Chinese economy.
The year 2025 was marked by multiple overlapping pressures but also yielded substantial achievements. In terms of economic scale, the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) grew by 5.0% compared to the previous year, surpassing the 140 trillion yuan threshold. As China's economic scale continues to expand, this 5.0% growth corresponds to an economic increment exceeding 5 trillion yuan.
Regarding per capita development levels, China's per capita GDP reached $13,953 based on the annual average exchange rate, remaining above $13,000 for the third consecutive year.
"The new breakthrough in China's economic aggregate reflects the enhanced industrial and agricultural production capacity of a trillion-yuan-scale economy, the further release of vitality in the service sector, and serves as crucial support for the well-being of hundreds of millions of households. It demonstrates China's stable economic foundation, multiple advantages, strong resilience, and vast potential," stated Sheng Laiyun, Deputy Director of the National Bureau of Statistics.
The 5.0% economic growth rate ranks among the top performers of major economies, with China's contribution to global growth expected to remain around 30%. The nation's economic output accounts for approximately one-sixth of the global total. Data from the communique indicates China continues to be the largest contributor to world economic growth and a key stabilizer.
Guided by technological innovation and grounded in the real economy, China has been developing new quality productive forces according to local conditions. The economy continues to cultivate new drivers and shape new advantages through quality transformation and upgrading.
In 2025, national expenditure on research and experimental development increased by 8.1% year-on-year, reaching 2.80% of GDP—the first time it has exceeded the average level of OECD countries. Value-added output from high-tech manufacturing enterprises above designated size grew by 9.4%. With steady advancement in technological capabilities and industrial upgrading, China is accelerating the construction of a modern industrial system by simultaneously cultivating new growth drivers and transforming traditional ones.
The dominant role of the domestic cycle has strengthened, with domestic demand contributing 67.3% to economic growth. Final consumption expenditure accounted for 52.0% of this contribution. Construction of a unified national market progressed steadily, with annual freight volume and turnover increasing by 3.2% and 4.6%, respectively.
Domestic and international cycles mutually reinforced each other. The total value of goods imports and exports exceeded 45 trillion yuan for the first time, positioning China to lead globally in total trade volume for the ninth consecutive year. The number of foreign nationals entering China under visa-free policies increased by nearly 50% compared to the previous year.
Additional data highlights the effectiveness of high-quality development: new urbanization continued to advance, with the permanent urban population reaching 67.89% by year-end. The proportion of clean energy consumption in total energy consumption rose to 30.4%, while carbon dioxide emissions per 10,000 yuan of GDP decreased by 5.0%.
Throughout the past year, China introduced comprehensive policies focused on employment, education, healthcare, elderly care, and child services. These efforts have made livelihood development fairer, more balanced, inclusive, and accessible, continuously enhancing the public's sense of fulfillment, happiness, and security.
Employment remains the foremost priority. The national surveyed urban unemployment rate averaged 5.2% in 2025, below the target of around 5.5%, with 12.67 million new urban jobs created. Stable economic growth and employment conditions drove a 5.0% real increase in per capita disposable income, keeping pace with economic expansion.
The consolidation rate of nine-year compulsory education reached 96.1%, while the gross enrollment rate for senior secondary education hit 92.0%. By year-end, the number of hospital beds nationwide reached 10.09 million, with 13.4 million healthcare technical personnel. Per capita sports场地面积 increased to 3.1 square meters. Comprehensive progress in education, health, culture, and sports has better met public expectations for a better life.
The year 2026 marks the beginning of the 15th Five-Year Plan period. Since the start of the year, various indicators have signaled positive economic momentum. During the recent Spring Festival holiday, average daily sales of key retail and catering enterprises increased by 5.7% compared to the 2025 holiday period, accelerating by 1.6 percentage points. In January, total social financing reached 7.22 trillion yuan, a record high for the period. By the end of January, China's foreign exchange reserves stood at $3.3991 trillion, up 1.23% from December 2025.
"As the 15th Five-Year Plan begins, we must anchor our efforts on the primary task of high-quality development, maintain confidence, leverage advantages, and address challenges to continuously strengthen the foundation for high-quality development and ensure a strong start to the new five-year period," Sheng Laiyun emphasized.