China's advertising sector achieved robust expansion during the first quarter of 2025, with leading enterprises reporting an 11.3 percent year-on-year increase in advertising revenue totaling 343.53 billion yuan (approximately 47.5 billion U.S. dollars), according to data released Friday by the State Administration for Market Regulation.
A survey of 881 major advertising enterprises and institutions indicates the industry has begun the year on a positive trajectory.
Approximately half of all surveyed enterprises reported positive revenue growth, with platform-based companies experiencing particularly strong performance. The sector also saw healthy profit growth of 14.6 percent among leading firms.
Enterprise performance metrics showed significant improvement across the board. Average advertising revenue per surveyed enterprise increased by nearly 40 million yuan to reach 390 million yuan, while per capita advertising revenue rose by 445,000 yuan to 3.511 million yuan.
Internet advertising demonstrated particularly strong performance, with revenue from online platforms reaching 188.62 billion yuan, marking 14.6 percent growth compared to the same period last year.
This digital segment now represents 81.7 percent of total advertising revenue, outpacing growth in both the information transmission, software and information technology services and leasing and commercial services. The data underscores advertising's vital role in China's digital economy and modern services.
Geographic concentration remained pronounced, with six key provincial-level regions, namely Beijing, Shanghai, Guangdong, Zhejiang, Fujian and Jiangsu, accounting for 669 of the surveyed enterprises, or 75.9 percent of the national total, and generating 287.41 billion yuan in advertising revenue, or 83.7 percent of the national total, in the first quarter. This represents a 1.1 percentage points increase in revenue share compared to the first quarter of 2024, according to the data.
China's advertising industry sees strong growth in Q1
