China's annual economic output exceeded 140 trillion yuan for the first time, urban employment increased by 12.67 million, and an average of 26,000 new enterprises were established daily. On February 28, the National Bureau of Statistics released the 2025 Statistical Communiqué on National Economic and Social Development, with a series of data indicators fully demonstrating the stability, progress, and resilience of the Chinese economy.
2025 marks the final year of the 14th Five-Year Plan. A detailed review of this development report card reveals several noteworthy highlights. The results are substantial, reflecting a new level of comprehensive national strength.
The past year was marked by multiple overlapping pressures, yet it was also a year of significant achievements and solid outcomes. In terms of economic scale, the gross domestic product (GDP) grew by 5.0% compared to the previous year, with the total economic volume surpassing 140 trillion yuan for the first time. As China's economic scale continues to expand, the 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, maintaining 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 economy, the further unleashing of vitality in the service sector, and serves as a crucial guarantee for the well-being of hundreds of millions of households. It demonstrates China's stable economic foundation, multiple advantages, strong resilience, and vast potential," said 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 economic growth expected to remain around 30%. The country's economic aggregate accounts for approximately one-sixth of the global total. A series of data indicators in the communiqué show that China continues to be the largest contributor and strongest stabilizing anchor for world economic growth.
"Amid complex circumstances in 2025, China remained steadfast in managing its own affairs, focusing on stabilizing employment, enterprises, markets, and expectations. The economy withstood pressures and maintained stability, with economic strength, technological capabilities, comprehensive national power, and international influence reaching new heights, fully demonstrating strong development resilience, pressure resistance, and vibrant innovative vitality," Sheng added.
Adhering to technological innovation as the guide and the real economy as the foundation, China has developed new quality productive forces according to local conditions. The economy continues to cultivate new momentum and shape new advantages through quality improvement and transformation.
In 2025, national research and experimental development (R&D) expenditure increased by 8.1% year-on-year, reaching 2.80% of GDP—surpassing the average level of OECD countries for the first time. Value-added in high-tech manufacturing above designated size grew by 9.4% compared to the previous year. New consumption models such as live-streaming e-commerce and instant retail developed rapidly, with massive orders flowing through cloud platforms. Steady advancement in technological strength and industrial innovation accumulation accelerated the construction of a modern industrial system while balancing the cultivation of new momentum and renewal of old drivers.
The overall pattern affects the overall situation. The communiqué shows that over the past year, China actively promoted the development of a nationally unified market and steadfastly advanced high-level opening up, firmly grasping the strategic initiative of development.
The dominant position of the domestic circulation has been consolidated—domestic demand contributed 67.3% to economic growth, with final consumption expenditure accounting for 52.0%, an increase of 5.0 percentage points from the previous year. Construction of the nationally unified market progressed steadily, with annual freight volume and turnover increasing by 3.2% and 4.6% respectively. A-share financing on the Shanghai and Shenzhen stock exchanges increased by 833.2 billion yuan throughout the year.
Domestic and international circulations reinforced each other—total goods import and export volume exceeded 45 trillion yuan for the first time, expected to maintain the top global position for the ninth consecutive year. The number of foreign entries through visa-free policies increased by nearly 50% year-on-year, while tax-free shopping sales for departing tourists nearly doubled.
More data highlights the effectiveness of high-quality development: new urbanization construction continued, with the permanent urban population rate reaching 67.89% by year-end, up 0.89 percentage points. Clean energy consumption accounted for 30.4% of total energy consumption, while carbon dioxide emissions per 10,000 yuan of GDP decreased by 5.0%. Grain production remained stable above 1.4 trillion jin for the second consecutive year.
People's livelihoods remain paramount. Over the past year, China introduced a package of policies benefiting people's livelihoods in key areas such as employment, education, healthcare, elderly care, and child care. Livelihood construction became fairer, more balanced, inclusive, and accessible, continuously enhancing people's sense of gain, happiness, and security.
Employment represents the most vital aspect of livelihood. In 2025, the national urban surveyed unemployment rate averaged 5.2%, below the expected control 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, synchronized with economic growth.
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 health technical personnel. Per capita sports场地面积 increased to 3.1 square meters. Comprehensive progress in education, health, culture, and sports better met people's new expectations for a better life.
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