The State Council Information Office of the People’s Republic of China held a press conference this week announcing that the per capita Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in China has exceeded $10,000. They stated that “residents’ consumption is rapidly upgrading from survival-based and basic to development-oriented and quality-based.” Following the release of this news, netizens compared the official data with personal income, employment, and consumption situations, and questioned, “Where did the money go?”
On May 18, Chinese officials introduced the economic performance in April 2026 at a press conference, stating that the Chinese economy is in a rapid development stage of consumption upgrading, with per capita GDP exceeding $10,000. This statement led to ridicule on social media platforms like Weibo, WeChat, and Douyin. A netizen commented, “I’ll have 20 more children.” Another comment read, “Sorry, I am dragging down the country,” “Where can I get this money from?” and “Work for another year and I can buy Tesla next year.”
Meanwhile, news continues to circulate online about consumption downgrading and physical stores closing in various parts of mainland China. A video shared by a netizen showed empty stores with leasing advertisements at the entrance of Wuzhou International Plaza in Hangzhou, with hardly any customers inside. Netizens remarked, “16 years ago, New Street in Nanjing was bustling, this year, the mall and supermarkets are deserted.” Some pointed out that although the per capita GDP reaching $10,000 signifies a lively economy, many construction sites are deserted with only a security guard on duty, earning a monthly wage of $1200, leaving little room for consumption.
The State Council Information Office stated during the press conference that the consumption structure of Chinese residents continues to improve, with consumption demand shifting from basic to quality and development-oriented. Authorities also mentioned that the quality of residents’ lives is improving.
Economic scholar Zhang Li from Shanxi expressed to reporters, “The so-called per capita GDP is a macroeconomic indicator, not an indicator of household income, and cannot directly represent the actual living standards of families. The official linkage of per capita GDP with consumption upgrading is purely to deceive the public, as they are swapping concepts. I don’t even watch the news now; not a word of truth.”
Research by reporters found that Chinese officials have frequently mentioned “per capita GDP exceeding $10,000” over the years, dating back to around 2020 or even earlier.
In response, scholar Mr. Jin from Shanxi told reporters, “The frequent emphasis by officials on per capita GDP exceeding $10,000 attempts to mask the issues of unfair distribution and economic downturn with macro numbers. This data only represents the average wealth per capita in society and cannot reflect the real disposable income of residents. Young people are facing employment issues, and many retirees are worried about pensions. The Chinese government is using ‘good news’ to urge private consumption, which not only confuses priorities but also highlights the stark disparity between their discourse and the actual feelings of ordinary people. Just check online and you’ll know.”
As related news spreads on social platforms like WeChat and Douyin, many netizens start comparing official statements with their own experiences. Some netizens share, “I haven’t bought clothes in two months,” while a catering business operator remarked, “Those in the food industry know how difficult this year is.”
A user on WeChat commented, “Everywhere there are veils, whoever uncovers them is the culprit; everywhere there are paper windows, whoever breaks them is the villain.”
Mr. Zhuang, an industry insider in the Beijing consumer market, revealed to reporters that numerous department stores in Beijing are closing down: “The Parkson store at the Fuxingmen location closed; last month, three outlets of Golden Resources New Yansha MALL shut down, and the French department store ‘Galeries Lafayette’ on the 27th also closed. I heard that more than ten medium-sized department stores in Beijing are expected to close in the second half of the year. This situation is unbearable. The consumption upgrading they (Chinese government) talk about is nonsense.”
In recent years, the transfer of restaurant businesses, store closures in malls, and consumption downgrading in various parts of China have become hot topics in the online world. However, discussions regarding these topics face increasing threats of censorship and bans by the authorities.