Monthly industrial output in China 1980–2012

Monthly economic indicators are used for a variety of purposes, from studying business cycles to determining economic policy and making informed business decisions. Chinaʹs published monthly industrial output statistics could hardly be more confusing, with changes in variables, in coverage, in measurement, and in presentation. This paper reviews the available official data and proceeds to construct a monthly industrial output series in nominal terms and in real terms for the period 1980–2012, economy-wide and for the public sector.