Micah Jonah
March 16, 2026
China’s industrial output and retail sales grew faster than expected in the first two months of 2026, according to official data released on Monday.
Figures from the National Bureau of Statistics showed that industrial production increased by 6.3 per cent in January and February compared with the same period last year.
The growth marked an acceleration from the 5.2 per cent recorded in December, exceeded analysts’ expectations of a five per cent increase.
Retail sales, which measure consumer spending, rose by 2.8 per cent during the period, up from 0.9 per cent growth recorded in December.
The increase also beat forecasts by economists who had predicted growth of about 2.5 per cent.
Meanwhile, fixed asset investment expanded by 1.8 per cent, defying expectations of a decline. Analysts had projected a drop of about 2.1 per cent.
The latest figures suggest some resilience in China’s economy despite ongoing challenges in the property sector and uncertainty in global markets.
