PPI“失去十五年”之谜

Core Viewpoint - The Producer Price Index (PPI) in China has shown a prolonged period of decline, with a year-on-year decrease of 1.9% reported for December 2025, marking 39 consecutive months of decline since October 2021. This trend raises questions about the underlying reasons for the stagnation in PPI despite significant GDP growth of 250% over the past 15 years [1][2][5]. Group 1: PPI Trends and Historical Context - The PPI has been in negative territory for 111 months from 2012 to 2025, indicating a long-term weakness in price levels despite substantial economic growth [1][2]. - The PPI index, set at 100 in December 2010, remained unchanged by December 2025, suggesting that the index has not increased over the past 15 years [1][5]. - Historical data shows that PPI experienced significant fluctuations, particularly influenced by production material prices, which have seen a cumulative increase of zero over the past 15 years [5][6]. Group 2: Economic Factors Influencing PPI - The 2008 financial crisis led to a surge in PPI due to government investment in infrastructure, but this effect was temporary, and PPI turned negative after March 2012 due to limited demand from final consumption [2][3]. - The divergence between Chinese and U.S. PPI post-2012 can be attributed to rapid capacity expansion in China, leading to a significant drop in export ratios relative to total industrial output [9][10]. - The prices of production materials, particularly in the upstream mining sector, have been volatile, heavily influenced by fluctuations in coal and oil prices [17][20]. Group 3: Demand and Supply Dynamics - The transmission of price changes from upstream to downstream sectors has been hindered by weak demand, particularly in the context of a competitive downstream market where prices are more sensitive to market conditions [23][24]. - Export dynamics play a crucial role in influencing midstream product prices, with a significant portion of revenue from industries like electronics and transportation being dependent on exports [27][28]. - The overall weak demand, especially in real estate, has contributed to a persistent decline in PPI, as seen in the correlation between real estate investment trends and PPI movements [38][39]. Group 4: Recommendations for Economic Adjustment - To address the long-term weakness in PPI, it is essential to adjust the supply-demand relationship, particularly by expanding effective demand through increased income for lower and middle-income groups [45][56]. - Stabilizing the real estate market is highlighted as a critical measure to boost consumption and alleviate overcapacity issues, with a focus on maintaining housing prices to prevent further declines [45][56]. - The government is encouraged to optimize fiscal spending to enhance residents' income, thereby supporting consumption and improving overall economic conditions [56].