China’s April economic data underwhelms, with retail sales growth slowing to lowest since 2022
Retail sales were the weakest since December 2022 as industrial output and investment also missed forecasts, underscoring softer domestic demand.
- China's retail sales grew just 0.2% in April, marking the weakest level since December 2022, while industrial output slowed to 4.1%, according to National Bureau of Statistics data released Monday.
- Strong external demand saw exports expand 14.1% and imports climb 25.3% in April as factories rushed to meet orders amid fears that the Iran war could push global input costs higher.
- While urban unemployment edged lower to 5.2% from 5.4% in March, urban fixed-asset investment contracted 1.6% in the first four months of 2026.
- During a state visit last week, President Donald Trump and China agreed to purchase at least $17 billion of American agricultural products and 200 jets from Boeing by 2026.
- Dongming Xie, head of Asia macro research at OCBC Bank, noted the Trump administration appears to be backing away from demanding deep structural reform, as both nations seek to avoid an "uncontrolled conflict.
22 Articles
22 Articles
On Monday, China released its least favourable industrial production and retail sales figures for more than two and a half years, as a result of several factors.
China's economy loses steam as domestic demand drops
China’s growth lost momentum in April, with industrial output cooling and retail sales sinking to over three-year lows as the world’s second-biggest economy wrestled with higher energy costs from the Iran war and persistently weak domestic demand. Better-than-expected exports and China’s domestic fuel-pricing controls have helped weather the energy shock, but higher input costs threaten to squeeze already weak factory margins and further dampe…
China economic slowdown deepens: Retail sales flatline and factory out
China's economy slowed down sharply in April 2026 as geopolitical fallout from the war in Iran weighed heavily on consumer spending and factory output. Retail Sales: Growth flattened to just 0.2% year-over-year, marking the weakest performance
Times of India
The Economic TimesGlobal Market: China’s April growth slows sharply as consumption, factory output weaken
China's economy shows signs of slowing down. Industrial output, retail sales, and investment activity weakened in April. This slowdown is linked to higher energy costs and subdued domestic demand. Exports offered some support, but consumer spending remains a concern. The property market downturn also continues to impact the economy.
Higher energy prices are slowing down growth in China. They are strengthening several internal problems for the economy. The automotive sector is particularly affected.
China's economy got off to a strong start in the first quarter with major economic indicators for January-February exceeding expectations, and the economy is showing positive developments on multiple fronts.
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