China Plans Debt-Interest Spending Equal to 19.2% of Central Outlays

China plans to spend RMB 8,739.9 billion on debt interest in 2026, equal to about 19.2% of central government direct spending as Beijing expands fiscal support for slower growth. The planned interest bill is up 6.7% from 2025 and compares with RMB 45,420 billion in central government direct spending. The share is higher than the roughly 14% projected for U.S. federal outlays, although the measures are not identical: China’s figure covers budgeted central debt-interest spending, while the U.S. figure uses net interest costs after interest income is deducted.

Source: TokenPost