Gross domestic product (GDP) of China 2023, by region

Regional gross domestic product (GDP) in China varies tremendously across the country. In 2023, the GDP of Guangdong province amounted to around 13.6 trillion yuan, whereas that of Tibet only reached about 239 billion yuan. While Guangdong has a thriving economy and is densely populated, Tibet is located in a remote mountain area and has a population of only around 3.5 million people.

Regional economic differences in China

China can generally be divided into four different economic macro-regions: the economically well-developed coastal parts in Eastern China, the less-developed Central and Northeastern China, and the developing region of Western China. This division is reflected in the figures for regional per capita GDP. The coastal parts of China are not only economically more advanced, but also have a considerably higher population density. This is the result of climatic conditions on the one hand and China's firm integration into the global economy on the other. International companies were initially attracted by special economic zones set up in coastal areas during China's market opening, and well-connected, highly developed urban areas of Eastern China are still favored by international businesses.

Prospects for future development

The Chinese government has long since been aware of the economic disparities in the country and the political unrest they might stir. Major efforts have been made to improve the conditions in less developed regions. The situation in Central and Western China has improved considerably in the last two decades, and rural poverty decreased on a striking scale. In recent years, growth rates in the west of China have even been higher than in coastal areas. However, the constraints of the global economy remain, and it is very likely that Eastern China will stay ahead in international markets in the foreseeable future.