China Economic Update - Beyond the Recovery: Charting a Green and Inclusive Growth Path

Jul 19, 2026

China Economic Update (June 2021) presents an assessment of China’s macroeconomic recovery and its implications for a post-pandemic development path. It reviews recent economic developments, including global recovery dynamics, China’s broadened recovery, external accounts, income and labor-market improvements, and carbon intensity in industry and investment. The report then outlines outlook, key risks, and policy implications, with a focus on charting a greener and more inclusive, resilient trajectory.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryResearch & Report

FormatPDF

Pages61

Reading Time2 h 34 min

AccessFree to download

Executive Summary

Recent Economic Developments

Global recovery is strong but uneven

China’s recovery has broadened, but some imbalances remain

China’s recovery has also been supported by robust global demand

Persistent current account surplus and larger two-way cross-border capital flows

Rising incomes amid improved labor market conditions

The uneven domestic recovery has contributed to divergent consumer and producer price trends

China’s industry and investment-led recovery has been relatively carbon-intensive

Gradual normalization of fiscal policy

Credit growth has moderated

Elevated debt levels remain a key concern

Outlook, Risks, and Policy Considerations

Global outlook

China outlook

Risks

Policy implications: charting a more inclusive and resilient post-pandemic development path

Extreme Poverty Has Been Eliminated. What Comes Next?

A new poverty standard for a new era

Addressing inequality will be key

Looking ahead

References

Public Disclosure Authorized Public Disclosure Authorized Public Disclosure Authorized Public Disclosure Authorized © 2021 International Bank for Reconstruction and Development / The World Bank 1818 H Street NW Washington DC 20433 Telephone: 202-473-1000 [Internet: ](Internet: www.worldbank.org)[www.worldbank.org](Internet: www.worldbank.org) This work is a product of the staff of The World Bank. The findings, interpretations, and conclusions expressed in this work do not necessarily reflect the views of The World Bank, its Board of Executive Directors, or the governments they represent. The World Bank does not guarantee the accuracy of the data included in this work. The boundaries, colors, denominations, and other information shown on any map in this work do not imply any judgment on the part of The World Bank concerning the legal status of any territory or the endorsement or acceptance of such boundaries. Rights and Permissions The material in this work is subject to copyright. Because The World Bank encourages dissemination of its knowledge, this work may be reproduced, in whole or in part, for noncommercial purposes as long as full attribution to this work is given. Any queries on rights and licenses, including subsidiary rights, should be addressed to World Bank Publications, The World Bank Group, 1818 H Street NW, Washington, DC 20433, USA; fax: 202-522- 2625; [e-mail: ](e-mail: pubrights@worldbank.org)[pubrights@worldbank.org](e-mail: pubrights@worldbank.org). Cover Photo: ©Vitaliy Hrabar/Shutterstock Acknowledgements The June 2021 issue of China Economic Update was prepared by a team comprising Luan Zhao (Task Team Leader), Sebastian Eckardt, Ibrahim Saeed Chowdhury, Ekaterine Vashakmadze, Maria Ana Lugo, Lydia Kim, Yusha Li, Qinxuan Zhang, Ruslan G. Yemtsov, Ileana Cristina Constantinescu, Ian Gillson, Martin Molinuevo, Pierre Sauve, Karen Muramatsu, Dewen Wang, Wenting Wei, Will Paterson, Simon Black, Yang Huang and Linghui Zhu. The team is grateful to Barbara Yuill for editing the report. Guidance and thoughtful comments from Martin Raiser, Aaditya Mattoo, Hassan Zaman, Deepak Mishra, Rinku Murgai, Zafer Mustafaoglu, Antonio Nucifora, Michele Ruta, Ergys Islamaj and Ashley Wan are gratefully acknowledged. The team would like to thank Tianshu Chen, Li Li, Ying Yu, Xiaoting Li, Lin Yang and Li Mingjie for support in the production and dissemination of this report. The findings, interpretations, and conclusions expressed in this report do not necessarily reflect the views of the Executive Directors of the World Bank or the Chinese government. Questions and feedback can be addressed to Li Li ([lli2@worldbank.org](lli2@worldbank.org)). Table of Contents Executive Summary .................................................................................................................................... 6 I. Recent Economic Developments................................................................................................... 12 Global recovery is strong but uneven ......................................................................................................... 12 China’s recovery has broadened, but some imbalances remain.................................................................. 13 China’s recovery has also been supported by robust global demand.......................................................... 15 Persistent current account surplus and larger two-way cross-border capital flows .................................... 18 Rising incomes amid improved labor market conditions............................................................................ 20 The uneven domestic recovery has contributed to divergent consumer and producer price trends............21 China’s industry and investment-led recovery has been relatively carbon-intensive .................................24 Gradual normalization of fiscal policy............................................

FAQs

What does the report cover under recent economic developments?

It reviews global recovery unevenness, China’s broadened recovery and remaining imbalances, external demand and cross-border capital flows, labor-market and income improvements, price trends, carbon intensity, fiscal normalization, credit moderation, and elevated debt concerns.

What outlook, risks, and policy considerations are included?

The report presents global and China outlook sections, highlights key risks, and provides policy implications focused on building a more inclusive and resilient post-pandemic development path.

How does the report address poverty and inequality?

It explains that extreme poverty has been eliminated, introduces a new poverty standard for a new era, and emphasizes that addressing inequality will be key going forward.

Jul 19, 2026

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