China’s economy, the world’s second largest, recorded an expansion of 1.1% between July and September, maintaining the pace of growth seen in the second quarter of 2025. According to the data released Monday by the National Bureau of Statistics (NSO), it slightly exceeded expectations and leaves the Chinese government’s annual growth target of “around 5%“ within reach.
Compared to the third quarter of last year, China’s GDP grew by 4.8%, four tenths less than in the second quarter (5.2%) and six tenths less than the year-on-year expansion of the first quarter (5.4%).
Thus, China’s GDP growth in the first nine months of 2025 was 5.2%, including an expansion of the primary sector of 3.8%, while industry grew by 4.9% and the services sector by 5.4%.
China’s GDP grew by 5.3% in the first half of 2025
China’s National Bureau of Statistics has highlighted that the national economy “maintained a stable development momentum of progress against pressure,“ with sustained growth in output and supply, while employment and prices remained generally stable.
“The third-quarter GDP data keep China firmly on track to achieve this year’s growth target of around 5%, and could reduce the urgency for more immediate action,“Lynn Song, chief China economist at ING Research, commented that “barring a dramatic slowdown in the fourth quarter,“ China is likely to achieve its annual growth target of “around 5%.“
China’s GDP growth in the first half of 2025 was 5.3%, including an expansion of the primary sector of 3.7%, while industry grew by 5.3% and the services sector by 5.5%.
