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IMF forecasts 4.5% growth for China in 2026
China’s economy expanded by 5 per cent in 2025, demonstrating resilience despite multiple external shocks and domestic pressures. However, the IMF cautioned that the world’s second-largest economy faces mounting structural challenges, including subdued domestic demand and deflationary pressures linked to a prolonged property sector downturn and a weak social safety net.
The Fund emphasised that China cannot rely indefinitely on exports to power durable growth and said pivoting toward consumption-led expansion should remain the top policy priority. Policymakers have already adopted a more expansionary fiscal stance in 2025, introduced targeted social subsidies and eased monetary policy.
The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has projected China’s economy will grow 4.5 per cent this year, up 0.3 percentage points from its October forecast, supported by exports and fiscal stimulus.
However, the IMF warned that weak domestic demand and property sector challenges persist, urging stronger social spending and reforms to shift growth toward consumption and reduce reliance on exports.
Looking ahead, China’s 15th Five-Year Plan for 2026-2030 prioritises boosting consumption. Reforms such as gradually raising the retirement age and easing household registration, or hukou, restrictions are expected to support labour force participation and domestic spending.
The IMF recommended a comprehensive macroeconomic package including additional fiscal stimulus, further monetary easing and greater exchange rate flexibility. It also urged stronger social protection spending, more progressive taxation and reduced reliance on industrial policies to rebalance growth toward domestic consumption.
With China contributing roughly 30 per cent to global growth, the IMF noted that a more balanced Chinese economy would strengthen global economic stability.
Fibre2Fashion News Desk (CG)