The Renmin University China Development Index (RCDI) has been released annually since 2007 to provide an objective evaluation of regional development across China and to offer a basis for macro-level policy formulation. Since 2012, the index has incorporated findings from the China Development Confidence Annual Survey, integrating both subjective and objective measurements of development to enable cross-validation between the two dimensions. To better align with the requirements of the new era and more accurately capture characteristics and trends of national development, the RCDI research team implemented methodological updates to the index framework in 2024.