Despite growing pressure from tariffs on its export industry, today, the World Bank has raised China’s 2025 growth forecast as part of an overall boost in projections for East Asia and the Pacific.
According to the release, the World Bank now expects China’s economy to grow by 4.8%, up from the 4% forecasted in April.
The new projection aligns more closely with China’s official goal of approximately 5% GDP growth in 2025.
The World Bank projects China’s GDP growth to ease to 4.2% in 2026, partly due to slower exports growth. Economists also anticipate that Beijing will tone down stimulus to keep public debt levels from rising too quickly, while China’s overall economic growth slows compared with its rapid expansion in past years.
China’s retail sales increased only 3.4% in August compared to the previous year, falling short of analysts’ forecasts. Real estate investment declined further, dropping by 12.9% in the first eight months of the year, compared to a 12% decrease during the first seven months.
In June, the World Bank lowered its 2025 global growth forecast to 2.3%, citing trade uncertainty, marking the slowest expansion since 2008 excluding recessions.
By CEO NA Editorial Staff