Only a few years go, the Chinese economy was the envy of the world. From 1979 to 2018, the nation's GDP grew at a phenomenal rate and China transformed from one of the poorest countries on the planet into a manufacturing superpower.

Fast-forward to 2024 and growth has stalled. The economy has suffered everything from a property slump to enormous public debt and high youth unemployment. And given China's rapidly ageing population and other factors such an increased trade protectionism abroad, its long-term economic prospects seem pretty grim...

Read on to find out why the Chinese economy is in trouble right now. All dollar amounts in US dollars.