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China is expected to maintain its 2026 GDP growth target at around 5% as authorities push to revive momentum and exit a prolonged deflationary phase. Government advisers suggest Beijing will rely heavily on fiscal and monetary support, including a budget deficit of 4% or more, front-loaded bond issuance, and consumer-focused subsidies. Despite efforts to shift toward a consumption-led model, structural challenges persist due to weak domestic demand, property sector stress, and industrial overcapacity. Analysts anticipate deflation to persist until 2027, urging patience as policymakers implement reforms under the new five-year plan starting next year.

Key Highlights

* China likely to retain a 5% GDP growth target for 2026.

* Fiscal and monetary stimulus expected to stay strong next year.

* Deflation may persist until 2027 despite policy support.

* Focus shifting gradually from investment-driven to consumption-led growth.

* New five-year plan to emphasize household consumption and structural reforms.

China’s economic outlook for 2026 is shaping up with expectations that Beijing will maintain its growth target at around 5%, mirroring this year’s goal. This target aims to stabilize confidence at a time when the world’s second-largest economy is struggling with persistent deflationary pressures, sluggish consumption, and a prolonged property downturn. Although the economy is on track to meet its 2025 objective, price weakness and imbalances between supply and demand remain prominent concerns.

To support this performance, policymakers are likely to keep fiscal and monetary levers wide open. Most advisers favour maintaining a budget deficit ratio of 4% or slightly higher, while bond issuance may again be front-loaded to ensure liquidity. The People’s Bank of China is expected to resume rate cuts as early as January 2026, potentially accompanied by fresh measures to stabilise the property market. Additionally, consumer goods trade-in subsidies worth 300 billion yuan this year are likely to continue, with a gradual shift toward services to bolster household spending.

In other developments, the upcoming five-year plan is set to place stronger emphasis on household consumption, which currently accounts for only 40% of GDP—far below levels in Western economies. Analysts stress that genuine economic rebalancing will require deeper structural reforms, including expanded welfare support and easing restrictions that limit rural migrants’ access to urban services. Still, deflation is expected to linger through 2026, with a mild recovery projected by 2027.

As Beijing works to strengthen demand and stabilize growth, the coming year will be crucial in determining whether China can break free from its deflationary cycle and shift toward a more sustainable, consumer-driven model.

Finally, China’s 2026 strategy hinges on strong policy support and gradual structural reforms, aiming to revive demand and steer the economy toward a more balanced, consumption-led growth path.

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