China’s GDP expands by 4.5% in the fourth quarter, slightly surpassing market expectations

China’s Economic Growth Slightly Surpasses Expectations in Fourth Quarter

According to official figures released on January 19, China’s economy expanded by 4.5% in the final quarter compared to the same period last year. This result narrowly exceeded analysts’ predictions and matched the government’s annual growth objective.

Economists surveyed by Reuters had anticipated a 4.4% increase in gross domestic product (GDP) for the fourth quarter, a slowdown from the 4.8% growth recorded in the previous quarter, as both consumer spending and investment lost momentum. The latest quarterly growth marks the slowest pace in three years.

For the entirety of 2025, China’s GDP grew by 5.0%, aligning with the government’s annual target and reinforcing its position as the world’s second-largest economy.