Consolidated growth in 2013. Growth in China, the second largest economy in the world, stood at 7.7% throughout 2013, after four years of growth that was close to 10% (2008-2011), according to the most recent figures provided by the National Statistics Office. This figure is the same as in 2012 and is more or less in line with experts' forecasts or is even slightly better. The government had forecast growth of 7.5%. Last year the services sector continued to grow and now accounts for 46.1% of GDP, superseding industry for the first time since 1961. According to the experts, it is investments, partly promoted by the state, that have helped boost and sustain Chinese growth and not household consumption that fell in 2013, after reaching 36% of GDP in 2012. (IL/transl.fl)