---
title: "Five-Year Plan Definition and Overview | Model Diplomat"
description: "A Five-Year Plan is a medium-term economic blueprint that sets national targets over five years, used by countries like India and China."
url: "https://modeldiplomat.com/learn/glossary/five-year-plan"
---

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Model Diplomat Research Team · Last reviewed June 22, 2026

TL;DR

- A Five-Year Plan is a centralized medium-term economic blueprint setting national production, investment and development targets over a fixed five-year horizon.
- What is the difference between China's jihua and guihua planning?
- When and why did India abandon Five-Year Plans?
- Which model shaped India's Second Five-Year Plan?
- Who ratifies China's Five-Year Plans?

[Civil Service & Diplomatic Exams](https://modeldiplomat.com/learn/civil-services/glossary)Updated June 22, 2026

A Five-Year Plan is a centralized medium-term economic blueprint setting national production, investment and development targets over a fixed five-year horizon.

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In October 2025, China's Communist Party Fourth Plenum adopted the guiding proposals for the 15th Five-Year Plan (2026–2030), prioritizing technological self-reliance and high-quality development.

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