China’s economic momentum eased in the second quarter of 2026, with quarter‑on‑quarter GDP growth slowing to 0.9%, down from 1.3% in the first quarter of the year. The latest data, updated on 15 July 2026, highlight a moderation in short‑term growth compared with the start of the year.
On a quarter‑over‑quarter basis, the current reading reflects a weaker expansion than in the previous period, when first‑quarter 2026 GDP grew 1.3% compared with the final quarter of 2025. By contrast, the second quarter’s 0.9% figure signals that the pace of economic activity has cooled when measured against the immediately preceding quarter.
The comparison framework underscores the loss of momentum: the “actual” measure captures the change from the second to the first quarter of 2026, while the “previous” measure tracked the change from the first quarter of 2026 relative to the quarter before it. Together, they show that China’s quarter‑to‑quarter growth rate has decelerated as 2026 has progressed.
