NBS: China's 2025 GDP rises 5%, Q4 growth slower at 4.5%

For the October-December quarter, the country's GDP registered an increase of 4.5%, a slower growth than the previous three quarters of 2025, NBS data showed.

Despite facing headwinds, China's national economy maintained steady growth and achieved new progress in high-quality development last year, successfully concluding the 14th Five-Year Plan period, per the release.

Among the three pillars supporting China's economy, the tertiary sector remained the top contributor to the GDP last year, with its output growing 5.4% on year to reach Yuan 80.9 trillion, according to NBS data.

Notably in the tertiary sector, the value added of information and software services jumped 11.1% on year, and that of leasing and business services also grew by a marked 10.3% on year.

In parallel, the output value of China's agriculture sector expanded 3.9% from the previous year to Yuan 9.3 trillion, while that of the industrial sector gained 4.5% on year to Yuan 50 trillion, NBS data showed.

Within the industrial sector, the production value of mining and manufacturing industries rose 5.6% and 6.4% respectively on year. Specifically, the value added of equipment manufacturing and high-tech manufacturing continued to rise rapidly by 9.2% and 9.4% respectively compared with the previous year.

China's investment in high-tech industries also maintained strong growth last year. For example, the investments in information services swelled by 28.4% on year, and those in aviation, aerospace, and equipment manufacturing rose 16.9%.

In 2025, total retail sales of consumer goods across China gained 3.7% on year to Yuan 50.1 trillion, while the country's per capita disposable income expanded to Yuan 43,377, higher by 5% compared with the previous year, NBS data showed.

Written by Anthea Shi, shihui@mysteel.com

Edited by Alyssa Ren, rentingting@mysteel.com

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