Dongguan has showcased a steady economic rebound in 2024. The city’s leadership has emphasized high-quality development by prioritizing technological innovation and advanced manufacturing, ensuring sustained progress amidst a challenging global economic environment.

Dongguan's GDP in 2024 reached 1.228 trillion RMB, growing 4.6% year-on-year. The primary sector grew by 0.5%, the secondary sector surged by 6.6%, and the tertiary sector rose by 2.1%. These figures demonstrate balanced progress across agriculture, industry, and services.01

Agriculture: Stable growth

Agricultural output rose by 1.5% to 5.93 billion RMB, with notable increases in ornamental plants (27.2%) and vegetables (4.3%). While forestry and livestock saw slight declines, the city maintained a strong supply of agricultural products.

Advanced manufacturing: Leads the way

Industrial growth remained robust, with value-added output from large-scale industries increasing by 6.9%. Noteworthy performers included:

Electronic manufacturing (+14.8%)

Chemical manufacturing (+8.7%)

Advanced manufacturing and high-tech sectors grew by 11.1% and 12.7%, respectively, driving Dongguan's industrial transformation.

Services: Steady expansion

The service sector grew by 2.1%, supported by logistics and digital innovation. Revenue from modern services such as multi-modal transport (+23.6%) and internet services (+14.1%) highlighted Dongguan's adaptation to new market demands. Postal and courier services also flourished, with business volumes up by over 21%.

Investment: New growth drivers

Fixed asset investment declined by 6.9%, mainly due to real estate adjustments. However, industrial investment increased by 6.9%, with high-tech manufacturing (+4.1%) and equipment manufacturing (+10.8%) seeing significant growth. 

Retail and online commerce: Resilient recovery

Retail sales rose modestly by 0.5% to 444.62 billion RMB, with online shopping showing an 8.1% increase. Key categories such as household appliances (+51.9%) and daily necessities (+40.9%) experienced notable growth, reflecting evolving consumer preferences.

Foreign trade: A bright spot

Dongguan's trade sector rebounded strongly, with total imports and exports increasing by 8.3% to 1.388 trillion RMB. Exports grew by 5.2%, while imports surged by 14.5%, indicating resilience in the city's global connections.

Fiscal and financial stability

Dongguan maintained a stable financial environment, with household deposits growing 10.7% and financial institution loans increasing 4.7%. Public budget expenditures rose slightly (+0.7%).

Consumer prices: Stable and balanced

The Consumer Price Index (CPI) remained flat year-on-year, with modest rises in education and entertainment costs, balanced by declines in transportation and apparel prices.

Despite external complexities, Dongguan's economy continues to demonstrate resilience and adaptability. With policies focused on reform, high-level openness, and the modernization of its industrial system, the city is well-positioned for sustainable growth. Looking ahead, Dongguan aims to deepen high-quality development, expand global integration, and lead in China’s transformation toward a modern economic powerhouse.