China’s economy saw a modest acceleration in the first quarter of 2026, with quarter‑on‑quarter GDP growth rising to 1.3%, up from 1.2% in the fourth quarter of 2025. The latest reading, updated on 16 April 2026, signals a slight strengthening in momentum at the start of the year.
On a quarter‑over‑quarter basis, the current figure compares the change in GDP in the first quarter of 2026 with that of the fourth quarter of 2025, while the previous 1.2% reading reflected growth in the fourth quarter relative to the third quarter of 2025. The incremental uptick suggests that, although the pace of expansion remains measured, China has managed to improve on its recent performance heading into 2026.
