Guangdong’s gross domestic product (GDP) hit a value of around 3.49 trillion yuan (US$511.6 billion) between January and March of 2026, a year-on-year increase of 4.6 percent, according to figures published by the Statistics Bureau of Guangdong Province yesterday.
The province’s primary industry sector, which covers the likes of farming, forestry and fishery, reached a value of 94.16 billion yuan (US$13.8 billion) in the first quarter, up by 3.9 percent year-on-year.
Similarly, Guangdong’s secondary industry sector, which encompasses areas such as mining, manufacturing and the production of electricity, water and gas, grew by 4.7 percent over the first quarter of 2025, jumping to a total of 1.24 trillion yuan (US$181.77 billion).
Meanwhile, the tertiary industry sector – made up of other sectors not covered by the primary and secondary industries – accounted for the remaining 2.16 trillion (US$316.64 billion), a rise of 4.5 percent year-on-year.
Based on the first quarter data, Guangdong witnessed an improvement across most economic indicators in comparison to the same period last year. For instance, the industrial output of firms above a designated size grew by 5.4 percent, outpacing the result from the initial quarter of 2025 by 2.4 percent.
By category, there was growth across sectors such as mining, which recorded a growth rate of 18.8 percent (up 15.8 percent against the whole of 2025), as well as the manufacturing of computers, telecommunication and other electronic devices, which experienced a growth of 13.4 percent (up 6.3 percent).
In terms of production volume, industrial robots, 3D printers, integrated circuits and memory chips all experienced an expansion of 45.2 percent, 63.6 percent, 43.1 percent and 32 percent respectively.
[See more: China’s economy surpasses expectations with 5 percent first-quarter growth]
Guangdong’s service sector also rose by 4.5 percent in the first quarter, with the finance, as well as the hotel and catering industries, experiencing a growth of 7.8 percent and 4 percent respectively.
During the first three months of 2026, the province’s retail sales also grew by 2.5 percent year-on-year, exceeding the national average growth by 0.1 percent.
Inflation meanwhile grew during the first quarter, with the consumer price index (CPI) experiencing a year-on-year rise of 0.5 percent.
As for the income of residents in Guangdong, the first quarter average totalled 16,096 yuan (US$2,359), a nominal increase of 4.4 percent year-on-year.
Overall, the Guangdong Statistics Bureau said the province’s economy made a “good start” to the year, although it also acknowledged the various challenges ahead, including external complexities and changes, geopolitical disturbances, domestic supply outstripping demand, and the need to consolidate the positive economy trajectory of the economy.
Moving forward, the authorities noted they would take various steps such as implementing more proactive macroeconomic policies, as well as stabilising employment, the markets and industries.
