Shikeb Farooqui, Lead Asia Economist at PGIM Fixed Income, shares insights into China's economic outlook for 2025. He discusses potential growth challenges, including the impact of tariffs and a volatile property market. Farooqui highlights a 65% chance of achieving a soft landing despite rising social unrest and staggering youth unemployment nearing 50%. The conversation delves into geopolitical tensions with the U.S. and Taiwan, and the Chinese government's measures to restore confidence in the economy.
China's economic growth is projected around 4.5%, influenced by structural imbalances and the need for increased private sector confidence.
The property sector crisis necessitates quasi-fiscal support and highlights the urgency of addressing housing market instability for recovery.
Deep dives
Economic Forecasting for China in 2025
Forecasts indicate that China's economy may experience low growth, approximately in the low four percent range, primarily due to ongoing structural financial and fiscal imbalances. The government is aiming to maintain a growth target of around 5%, yet realistic projections suggest a more achievable target around 4.5%. Factors contributing to this outlook include necessary adjustments in the property sector and the need to boost private sector confidence, especially in light of a potential liquidity trap. Scenarios considering the impact of US tariffs also play a critical role, with a 'soft landing' predicted at a 65% probability, while more severe outcomes are deemed less likely.
Challenges in China's Property Sector
The property sector in China represents a significant challenge for the economy, necessitating quasi-fiscal support to stabilize the housing market and restore consumer confidence. Following heavy regulatory measures implemented by the Chinese government to address macroeconomic imbalances, the property sector has faced significant downturns in sales, contributing to a crisis that could take multiple years to resolve. Comparatively, similar crises in the US or Japan took five to six years to stabilize, indicating that China's healing process may take just as long. The government is expected to encourage lending within the property sector as a strategic measure to address the overhang of housing capacity.
Geopolitical Tensions and Social Stability
Geopolitical tensions, particularly surrounding Taiwan, remain a focal point for China's stability, with increased military exercises indicating a strategy of testing capabilities without overt aggression. Domestically, rising youth unemployment and social unrest have been linked, with the government responding by introducing support programs for recent graduates entering the job market. It is crucial to note that the skills mismatch in the job market contributes to these challenges, hindered by lack of private sector investment and confidence. Overall, a multi-faceted approach is required to manage both social discontent and geopolitical pressures as China navigates its economic landscape.
Amid global complexities, China's economic outlook presents both challenges and opportunities that are crucial to investment considerations. In this episode of All the Credit®, we weigh possible growth scenarios for China, the impacts of tariffs, private sector confidence, and property sector challenges. We assess the nation’s fiscal strategies, rising social unrest, and geopolitical tensions with the U.S. and Taiwan.
PGIM Fixed Income’s Tom Porcelli, Chief U.S. Economist, hosts Shikeb Farooqui, PhD, Lead Asia Economist.
Recorded on January 9, 2025.
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