China Economic Data May 2026: Latest Indicators & Data Table
Official monthly indicator snapshot for China. Sources: NBS, GACC, PBOC, Ministry of Finance.
Last updated: June 22, 2026 · May 2026 trade data now included
Quick answer
China's latest May 2026 macro snapshot in one place
GDP growth held at 5.0% in Q1 2026, May exports reached $376.8B, the trade surplus widened to $105.4B, industrial output grew 4.1%, CPI rose 1.2%, and M2 expanded 7.2%.
📈 What These Numbers Mean
GDP: China's economy grew 5.0% in Q1 2026, beating consensus forecasts of 4.8%. The result puts the full-year target of 4.5–5% within reach, though trade war headwinds cloud the outlook. See the full Q1 GDP analysis.
Trade: May exports climbed to $376.8B while imports held at $271.4B, widening the monthly surplus to $105.4B. YTD Jan–May trade reached $2.98T (+19.2% YoY), showing that external demand stayed firm even as imports remained elevated. See the May trade analysis.
CPI: Inflation remains stubbornly below 1%, reflecting weak domestic consumption demand despite policy stimulus. The PBOC maintains an accommodative monetary stance. Track monthly CPI data.
M2: Money supply growth held steady at 7.2%, consistent with the PBOC's moderate easing bias. Credit expansion is directed toward manufacturing and green investment rather than property. M2 data.
Industrial Output: April industrial output grew 4.1% YoY (Jan–Apr cumulative +5.6%), led by high-tech manufacturing. EV production remains strong. The NBS noted stable output growth despite external headwinds from US tariffs. See April industrial output analysis.
Data vs commentary: This page is the raw monthly indicator snapshot. For the narrative read on what May 2026 means for growth, policy, and trade, open the May 2026 analysis page.
📊 Related Datasets
Sources: National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), General Administration of Customs (GACC), People's Bank of China (PBOC).