China Reserves in Months of Imports
Total reserves in months of imports FI.RES.TOTL.MO
China's reserves in months of imports was 10.0 in 2025, ranked 11th globally. This represents a 11.0% decrease from 2024. Data from World Bank, covering 1982–2025.
Overview
China's reserves in months of imports stood at 10.0 in 2025, a decline of +1.2 from 2024. Based on recent trends, this figure is projected to reach 10.0 by 2025. China ranked 11th globally.
China’s reserves in months of imports have fallen from an all‑time peak of 25.39 in 2009 to a low of 3.15 in 1993, before stabilising at 10.00 in 2025, ranking eleventh globally. The 44‑year series shows a long‑term decline from the early‑2000s high, reflecting the country’s shift from a net importer of energy and commodities to a more diversified trade basket, while the modest rebound after the 1993 trough coincided with the buildup of foreign‑exchange buffers in the early 2000s. By comparison, Japan’s 2025 level of 10.65 months places it slightly above China, whereas Lebanon’s 10.55 months and Samoa’s 9.65 months cluster around the same range, highlighting the relatively narrow band among the top‑ranked economies. The latest figure remains well below the 2009 peak, suggesting that without a major external shock or a sustained surge in export earnings, the reserve ratio is likely to hover near the current level, with only incremental adjustments expected.
Data & projection
| Year | Reserves in Months of Imports | YoY change | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2027* trend | 8.6 | - | - |
| 2026* trend | 9.3 | - | - |
| 2025* trend | 10.0 | - | - |
| 2025 | 10.0 | −1.2 | #11 |
| 2024 | 11.2 | −0.4 | #6 |
| 2023 | 11.6 | +0.5 | #11 |
| 2022 | 11.1 | −0.5 | #13 |
| 2021 | 11.6 | −3.1 | #15 |
| 2020 | 14.7 | +0.9 | #15 |
| 2019 | 13.8 | +0.6 | #8 |
| 2018 | 13.1 | −2.3 | #8 |
| 2017 | 15.4 | −1.3 | #8 |
| 2016 | 16.7 | −1.2 | #7 |
| 2015 | 17.9 | −1.0 | #5 |
| 2014 | 19.0 | −0.6 | #4 |
| 2013 | 19.5 | +0.5 | #4 |
| 2012 | 19.1 | −0.0 | #4 |
| 2011 | 19.1 | −2.7 | #5 |
Detected Pattern
Analysis
China matched the Export Boom Cycle pattern in 2013. Historically, 71% of countries showing this pattern (546 out of 768) saw reserves in months of imports improve within 24 months. View full analysis →
Frequently Asked Questions
China's reserves in months of imports was 10.0 in 2025. Ranked 11th globally. This represents a 11.0% decrease from the previous year.
China's reserves in months of imports peaked at 25.4 in 2009.
The lowest reserves in months of imports in China was 3.2 in 1993.
China ranks 11th globally in reserves in months of imports as of 2025.
The World Bank indicator code is FI.RES.TOTL.MO. Data sourced from World Bank.
China's reserves in months of imports is projected to reach 10.0 by 2025 based on trend extrapolation.
The reserves in months of imports of China in 2025 was 10.0. This ranks 11th in the world.
Cite this page
@misc{historysaid_china_reserves-months-imports,
title = {China Reserves in Months of Imports},
url = {https://historysaid.com/china/reserves-months-imports/},
publisher = {HistorySaid},
year = {2026}
}