Guangzhou GDP reaches 1.6 trillion yuan in first half of 2026

Guangzhou's economic performance maintained a positive trajectory in the first six months of this year, as its industrial structure upgraded toward innovation and high value-added sectors, a senior official said during a news conference on Friday.

Ye Shanhu, Party secretary and head of Guangzhou's statistics bureau, said the Guangdong provincial capital reported a regional GDP of 1.6 trillion yuan ($236.24 billion) in the first half of the year, up 5.8 percent year-on-year.

The added value of the primary industry rose by 3.2 percent, while that of the secondary and tertiary industries increased by 5.6 percent and 5.9 percent, respectively.

Ye said Guangzhou's output of characteristic agricultural products expanded in the first two quarters. The combined output value of agriculture, forestry, animal husbandry, and fishery grew by 4.5 percent year-on-year. Among major agricultural products, fruit and aquatic output rose by 4.5 percent and 3.5 percent, respectively.

Meanwhile, the city's service sector registered relatively rapid growth. According to official statistics, the business revenue of industrial service enterprises above designated size rose 12.3 percent year-on-year.

The city's leasing and business services sector grew by 24.1 percent. Its internet, software, and information technology services sector expanded by 12.4 percent. The scientific research and technical services sector rose 12.7 percent.

Cultural and tourism activities have boosted related industries, with the entertainment sector increasing by 14.5 percent, the arts and culture sector by 12.7 percent, and the sports industry by 9.4 percent.

"Nevertheless, notable structural divergence persists in current economic operations, and the transition between old and new growth drivers remains at a critical stage," said Ye. "Moving forward, we will continue to coordinate efforts on both supply and demand fronts to solidify the manufacturing sector's foundation and elevate the quality of the service industry."