China’s economic slowdown appears to be deepening, new data showed.
Retail sales, industrial production, and investment levels were all below analysts’ expectations in August, while a real estate downturn intensified.
The figures reinforce worries over prospects for the world’s second-biggest economy, which is already grappling with a heavy debt burden, high levels of youth unemployment, and worsening deflation.
2024 saw a similar pattern, in which the economy weakened as the year went on: Solid data at the beginning of 2025 means Beijing’s target of 5% annual growth this year is still possible, but ING’s chief China economist warned further stimulus may be needed to ensure that goal is reached.
