BEIJING -- Software business revenue in China went up 24.2 percent in the first five months of the year from the same period in 2012, but the growth rate was 3 percentage points lower year on year, the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology said.

The growth rate was 1 percentage point lower than that in the first four months, according to the ministry.

Revenue topped 1.1 trillion yuan ($178.54 billion) in the first five months.

The sector's exports stood at $14.1 billion for the five-month period, up 10.1 percent year on year.

Among the exports, the outsourcing services sector hit $3.36 billion, up 16.5 percent year on year.