Ningbo's economy posts steady growth in H1

Ningbo's economy maintained stable growth in the first half of 2026, with its gross domestic product (GDP) reaching 946 billion yuan ($139.6 billion), up 5.4 percent year-on-year at constant prices.

Industrial production continued to accelerate, with value-added output from industrial enterprises above designated size — those with annual revenue of at least 20 million yuan — rising 8.9 percent. Emerging industries performed particularly well, with high-end equipment manufacturing, high-tech manufacturing, and manufacturing in the core industries of the digital economy all achieving double-digit growth.

Ningbo-Zhoushan Port handled 719 million metric tons of cargo and 22.9 million twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs) of containers in the first six months, with container throughput increasing 8.8 percent year-on-year.

Investment continued to shift toward high-quality industries. Manufacturing investment rose 12.3 percent, while investment in the core industries of the digital economy, equipment manufacturing, and high-tech industries surged 38.9 percent, 21.1 percent, and 17.4 percent, respectively.

Consumer spending remained resilient, with retail sales increasing 3.6 percent.

Foreign trade remained a bright spot. Total imports and exports reached 771.3 billion yuan, up 6.9 percent. Private enterprises accounted for 78.4 percent of the city's total trade, while exports of electric vehicles, lithium-ion batteries, and photovoltaic products soared 134.5 percent.

Residents' incomes also continued to rise. Per capita disposable income reached 45,785 yuan, up 4.5 percent. The per capita disposable income of urban residents was 50,789 yuan, representing a nominal year-on-year increase of 4.1 percent, while that of rural residents was 31,618 yuan, a nominal year-on-year increase of 5.2 percent.