China's GDP growth accelerates to 4.5% in third quarter

China's economy grew 4.5% year on year in the third quarter of 2026, according to preliminary estimates from the National Bureau of Statistics.

Growth accelerated from 4.3% in the second quarter, which Interfax described as the slowest rate since 2022. Analysts polled by Trading Economics had expected 4.4%.

GDP rose 1.2% from the previous quarter, compared with 0.9% in April through June. The forecast had been for a 1.1% quarterly increase.

For January through September, GDP increased 4.6% year on year to 107.1 trillion yuan, or about $16 trillion. The government's full-year growth target is 4.5% to 5%.

Per capita disposable income reached 34.23 thousand yuan, about $5.1 thousand, over the nine months. It rose 5.3% in nominal terms and 4.4% after adjusting for inflation.