Quick facts
China population overview
China is the 2nd most populous of 52 countries and territories in Asia. The United Nations put the population at 1,414,459,364 on 1 January 2026; with an annual growth rate of -0.2% the live estimate on this page falls by roughly 8,520 people per day.
Over a full year that means about 8,628,202 births (6.1 per 1,000 people) and 11,457,121 deaths (8.1 per 1,000), and net emigration of roughly 282,892 people. The infant mortality rate is 5.4 per 1,000 live births.
World Bank data show the population grew from 667,070,000 in 1960 to 1,406,585,000 in 2025 — a change of +110.9%, or +1.2% per year on average. It peaked at 1,412,360,000 in 2021 and has declined 0% since.
Demographically, the median age is 40.6 years; life expectancy at birth is 79 years; women have on average 1 children (2024, below the 2.1 replacement level); 15.4% of residents are under 15 and 14.9% are 65 or older (2025); 66.3% of people live in urban areas (2025).
The capital is Beijing. China covers 9,562,910 km², giving a population density of about 148 people per km². GDP was $19.50T in 2025 — about $13,862 per person (World Bank classification: upper middle income).
China population statistics (2026)
| Population (live, October 2026) | 1,411,977,775 |
|---|---|
| UN estimate, 1 Jan 2026 | 1,414,459,364 |
| World rank | #2 of 238 |
| Rank in Asia | #2 of 52 |
| Share of world population | 17.1% |
| Annual growth rate | -0.2% |
| Births per year est. | 8,628,202 |
| Deaths per year est. | 11,457,121 |
| Net migration per year est. | -282,892 |
| Birth rate | 6.1 per 1,000 |
| Death rate | 8.1 per 1,000 |
| Infant mortality | 5.4 per 1,000 births |
| Sex ratio | 103.6 males per 100 females |
| Median age | 40.6 years |
| Life expectancy | 79 years |
| Fertility rate 2024 | 1 births per woman |
| Urban population 2025 | 66.3% |
| Surface area 2023 | 9,562,910 km² |
| Population density | 148 per km² |
| Capital | Beijing |
| GDP (current US$) 2025 | $19.50T |
| GDP per capita 2025 | $13,862 |
| Income group World Bank | Upper middle income |
China population by year
| Year | Population | Change | Annual growth |
|---|---|---|---|
| October 2026 (live, UN-based) | 1,411,977,775 | – | – |
| 2025 | 1,406,585,000 | -2,390,000 | -0.2% |
| 2024 | 1,408,975,000 | -1,735,000 | -0.1% |
| 2023 | 1,410,710,000 | -1,465,000 | -0.1% |
| 2022 | 1,412,175,000 | -185,000 | 0% |
| 2021 | 1,412,360,000 | +1,260,000 | +0.1% |
| 2020 | 1,411,100,000 | +31,240,000 | +0.4% |
| 2015 | 1,379,860,000 | +42,155,000 | +0.6% |
| 2010 | 1,337,705,000 | +33,985,000 | +0.5% |
| 2005 | 1,303,720,000 | +41,075,000 | +0.6% |
| 2000 | 1,262,645,000 | +57,790,000 | +0.9% |
| 1995 | 1,204,855,000 | +69,670,000 | +1.2% |
| 1990 | 1,135,185,000 | +84,145,000 | +1.6% |
| 1985 | 1,051,040,000 | +69,805,000 | +1.4% |
| 1980 | 981,235,000 | +64,840,000 | +1.4% |
| 1975 | 916,395,000 | +98,080,000 | +2.3% |
| 1970 | 818,315,000 | +103,130,000 | +2.7% |
| 1965 | 715,185,000 | +48,115,000 | +1.4% |
| 1960 | 667,070,000 | – | – |
Change and annual growth are measured against the previous row; growth is annualized where rows are five years apart. The live row extrapolates the UN estimate and is not directly comparable with the World Bank series.
About China
Population over time
- From 667,070,000 in 1960 to 1,411,977,775 today — up 111.7%.
- Population peaked at 1,412,360,000 in 2021 and is down 0% since.
- Average change over the last 10 years of data: +0.2% per year.
Life expectancy & fertility
- Life expectancy at birth: 78 years (2024), up 44.6 years since 1960.
- Fertility: 1 births per woman (2024) — below the ~2.1 replacement level.
Birth & death rates
- Latest: 6.8 births vs 7.8 deaths per 1,000 people (2024).
- Deaths outnumber births — natural decrease of 1 per 1,000 a year.
Age structure
- 15.4% of the population is under 15 and 14.9% is 65 or older (2025).
- The 65+ share has grown from 4% in 1960 — the population is aging.
CO₂ emissions
- Latest total: 13,125 Mt CO₂ (2024).
- Emissions are at or near their historical peak.
- Per person: 9.32 t in 2024, vs 1.11 t in 1970.
Energy use & renewables
- Energy use: 2,850.9 kg of oil equivalent per person (2023), up 268.7% since 1990.
- Renewables supplied 15.2% of final energy in 2021 (-18.7 points since 1990).
Forest area (% of land)
- Forest covers 24% of land area (2023).
- Net afforestation: cover grew from 16.7% to 24% since 1990 — roughly 697,512 km² of forest gained.
Urban population (% of total)
- 66.3% of people live in urban areas (2025), vs 19.7% in 1960 (+46.6 points).
- Became majority-urban around 2011.
Water resources & stress
- Water stress: low–medium — freshwater withdrawals are 20.2% of renewable internal resources (2022, SDG 6.4.2-style bands).
- Renewable freshwater per person: 1,992 m³ in 2022, down 53.2% since 1961.
Economy
- GDP: $19.50T in 2025.
- Nominal GDP is up 72.8% since 2015.
- That works out to $13,862 per person.
Unemployment & inflation
- Unemployment: 4.6% of the labor force (2025, ILO estimate).
- Consumer-price inflation: 0.1% in 2025.
Internet & mobile
- 91.6% of people used the internet in 2025.
- Mobile subscriptions: 131.8 per 100 people (2024) — more subscriptions than people.
China in the news
Frequently asked questions
What is the population of China in 2026?
As of October 2026, China has an estimated population of 1,411,977,775. The United Nations estimated 1,414,459,364 residents on 1 January 2026; the live figure on this page extrapolates that estimate using the -0.2% annual growth rate.
Is the population of China growing or shrinking?
It is shrinking at -0.2% per year — roughly 8,520 fewer people every day. Each year there are about 8,628,202 births and 11,457,121 deaths, with net migration of -282,892.
What is the population density of China?
About 148 people per square kilometre: 1,411,977,775 people living on 9,562,910 km² of surface area (World Bank, 2023).
What is the median age in China?
The median age is 40.6 years, and life expectancy at birth is 79 years. 15.4% of the population is under 15 and 14.9% is 65 or older (2025).
How does China rank by population?
China is the 2nd most populous of 238 countries and territories worldwide and the 2nd in Asia, with 17.1% of the global population.
How has the population of China changed over time?
In 1960 the population was 667,070,000; by 2025 it had grown to 1,406,585,000 (+110.9%). The year-by-year table above lists the full World Bank series.
Explore more
India
Indonesia
Pakistan
Bangladesh
United States
Nigeria
Brazil
RussiaSources & method: the live population is a linear extrapolation of the UN World Population Prospects estimate for 1 January 2026 using the annual growth rate (-0.2%); births, deaths and migration counters apply the UN crude rates to the live figure. Historical series, area, GDP and other indicators are from World Bank Open Data; the encyclopedic summary is from Wikipedia. Figures are statistical estimates, not census counts. Page generated 2026-10-19. More about our data.