What is the population of China in 2026?
China has a population of 1,406,585,000 people (2025 estimate), which is 2nd in the world and about 16.95% of the global total.
Officially People's Republic of China
Population 2025
1,406,585,000
16.95% of world population
World Bank, 2025Annual Growth
−0.17%
−2,391,195 people a year
World Bank, 2025Density
150/km²
9,388,210 km² land area
World Bank, 2023Median Age
40.1 years
Life expectancy 78.0 years
Our World in Data, 2025About China
China, officially the People's Republic of China (PRC), is the world's second-most populous country and the third-largest by land area. As a one-party state governed by the Chinese Communist Party, China has transformed from an agrarian economy into the world's largest economy by purchasing power parity and second-largest by nominal GDP. Home to one of humanity's oldest continuous civilizations, China has influenced art, philosophy, music, cuisine, and governance throughout East Asia and beyond.
Country Facts
- Capital
- Beijing
- Continent
- Asia
- ISO codes
- CN · CHN
- Demonym
- Chinese
- Currency
- Chinese yuan (CNY ¥)
- Government
- People's republic, Communist dictatorship, Constitutional republic +5 more
- State inception
- 1949
- Time zone
- UTC+08:00
- Driving side
- Right
- Calling code
- +86
- Internet TLD
- .cn, .中国, .中國, .公司, .网络
- Land neighbours
- 16
Languages
- Chinese
Religions
- Folk religions/None (73.6%)
- Buddhism (15.9%)
- Christianity (5.1%)
- Islam (1.8%)
- Taoism
Demographics
China's population of 1.43 billion is aging rapidly due to decades of the one-child policy (1979-2015) and declining fertility. The median age of 38.4 years will rise significantly by 2050. The working-age population is already shrinking, creating economic challenges. About 64% live in urban areas, with massive rural-to-urban migration continuing. China has 56 recognized ethnic groups, with Han Chinese comprising 92%.
Economy
China is the world's largest manufacturer, exporter, and holder of foreign exchange reserves. It leads globally in renewable energy production and electric vehicle manufacturing. The economy is transitioning from export-dependent growth to domestic consumption. Major sectors include manufacturing, technology, construction, and services. China contains the world's largest high-speed rail network and is a leader in 5G deployment.
Major exports
- Electronics
- Machinery
- Textiles
- Furniture
- Plastics
- Vehicles
- Iron and steel
- Medical equipment
Major imports
- Semiconductors
- Petroleum
- Iron ore
- Gold
- Soybeans
- Machinery
- Copper
- Automobiles
Health
Education
Environment
Infrastructure
Quality of Life
Geography
China spans five geographical time zones with terrain ranging from the Gobi and Taklamakan deserts to subtropical forests. The Tibetan Plateau, 'Roof of the World,' contains the sources of Asia's major rivers. Eastern China contains fertile plains supporting intensive agriculture, while the west is more mountainous and arid. China has 14 land neighbors, the most of any country.
Natural resources
- Coal
- Iron ore
- Petroleum
- Natural gas
- Rare earth elements
- Mercury
- Tin
- Tungsten
- Antimony
- Manganese
- Zinc
- Lead
- Uranium
Climate
- Diverse: tropical in south to subarctic in north
Military
Age & Gender Distribution
Population by five-year age band, UN World Population Prospects 2024.
Male Female
- Age 0–14
- 16.0%
- Age 15–64
- 69.3%
- Age 65+
- 14.7%
| Age band | Male | Female |
|---|---|---|
| 100+ | 2,849 | 40,334 |
| 95-99 | 119,555 | 484,289 |
| 90-94 | 1,092,562 | 2,586,829 |
| 85-89 | 3,987,530 | 6,766,075 |
| 80-84 | 8,653,262 | 12,001,881 |
| 75-79 | 16,122,783 | 19,906,556 |
| 70-74 | 28,412,466 | 33,775,418 |
| 65-69 | 35,337,006 | 38,857,887 |
| 60-64 | 41,231,415 | 42,810,616 |
| 55-59 | 57,124,175 | 57,625,452 |
| 50-54 | 60,406,262 | 59,460,160 |
| 45-49 | 48,029,599 | 46,313,285 |
| 40-44 | 51,487,433 | 48,837,007 |
| 35-39 | 61,039,493 | 56,495,290 |
| 30-34 | 55,935,859 | 50,164,764 |
| 25-29 | 45,182,391 | 39,287,194 |
| 20-24 | 42,803,564 | 36,615,698 |
| 15-19 | 44,868,457 | 38,253,594 |
| 10-14 | 48,445,649 | 41,644,073 |
| 5-9 | 45,398,567 | 39,756,448 |
| 0-4 | 27,342,843 | 24,614,707 |
Population History & Projection (1950–2100)
Observed population to 2024, then the UN medium-variant projection.
| Year | Population |
|---|---|
| 1950 | 544,044,358 |
| 1960 | 654,802,069 |
| 1970 | 823,308,967 |
| 1980 | 983,163,542 |
| 1990 | 1,153,582,724 |
| 2000 | 1,269,581,175 |
| 2010 | 1,351,561,514 |
| 2020 | 1,426,106,093 |
| 2030 | 1,398,153,832 |
| 2040 | 1,342,816,657 |
| 2050 | 1,260,289,093 |
| 2060 | 1,135,127,191 |
| 2070 | 998,784,319 |
| 2080 | 870,252,344 |
| 2090 | 744,902,836 |
| 2100 | 633,368,113 |
History
Chinese civilization dates back over 5,000 years through successive dynasties including Shang, Zhou, Qin, Han, Tang, Song, Yuan, Ming, and Qing. The Republic of China was established in 1912, ending imperial rule. The People's Republic was founded in 1949 under Mao Zedong. Since 1978, economic reforms under Deng Xiaoping transformed China into an economic superpower, lifting over 800 million people out of poverty—the largest poverty reduction in history.
Culture
Chinese culture has profoundly influenced East Asian civilization in philosophy (Confucianism, Taoism), arts (calligraphy, painting, porcelain), architecture, cuisine, and governance systems. Chinese New Year is celebrated worldwide. Traditional medicine, martial arts, and tea culture remain vibrant. The country has 56 UNESCO World Heritage Sites, including the Great Wall and Forbidden City.
Current Challenges
China faces an aging population and declining workforce, environmental degradation, regional inequality, and property sector instability. Tensions with Western countries over trade, technology, and geopolitics create economic uncertainties. Balancing economic growth with environmental protection and social stability remains challenging. The demographic transition poses long-term fiscal and economic pressures.
Future Outlook
China aims to become a moderately developed country by 2035 and a great modern socialist country by 2049. Focus areas include technological self-sufficiency, green energy, advanced manufacturing, and expanding domestic consumption. Population is projected to decline significantly, potentially to under 1 billion by 2100, requiring adaptation of economic and social systems.
Highlights
What China Is Known For
- World's largest economy by PPP
- The Great Wall stretches over 21,000 km
- Invented paper, printing, compass, and gunpowder
- World's largest producer of renewable energy
- Contains 56 UNESCO World Heritage Sites
Interesting Facts About China
- All pandas in the world belong to China and are loaned to other countries
- China's high-speed rail network exceeds 40,000 km, the world's longest
- Half of all pigs in the world live in China
- Eggs are often sold in tens rather than dozens
- The mortar used to build the Great Wall contains sticky rice
- China has the world's largest standing army
- Table tennis is the national sport
How China Compares
Population against the ten most populous countries.
- India1.46B
- China1.41B
- United States341.8M
- Indonesia285.7M
- Pakistan255.2M
- Nigeria237.5M
- Brazil212.8M
- Bangladesh175.7M
- Russia143.5M
- Ethiopia135.5M
| Name | Population |
|---|---|
| India | 1.46B |
| China | 1.41B |
| United States | 341.8M |
| Indonesia | 285.7M |
| Pakistan | 255.2M |
| Nigeria | 237.5M |
| Brazil | 212.8M |
| Bangladesh | 175.7M |
| Russia | 143.5M |
| Ethiopia | 135.5M |
Major Cities in China
12 metropolitan areas in our city dataset.
Countries Bordering China
16 land borders.
- Afghanistan43.8M · +2.77%
- Bhutan797K · +0.65%
- Myanmar54.9M · +0.64%
- Hong Kong7.5M · −0.34%
- India1.46B · +0.89%
- Kazakhstan20.8M · +1.21%
- Nepal29.6M · −0.11%
- North Korea26.6M · +0.27%
- Kyrgyzstan7.34M · +1.66%
- Laos7.87M · +1.32%
- Macao686K · −0.16%
- Mongolia3.57M · +1.25%
- Pakistan255.2M · +1.56%
- Russia143.5M · −0.11%
- Tajikistan10.8M · +1.83%
- Vietnam101.6M · +0.60%
China Population FAQ
Is the population of China growing or shrinking?
China's population is shrinking at −0.17% per year, a change of roughly 2,391,195 people annually.
What is the capital of China?
The capital of China is Beijing.
What is the largest city in China?
Shanghai is the largest metropolitan area in China, with about 29.2M people.
How densely populated is China?
China has 150/km² across 9,388,210 km² of land area.
What is life expectancy in China?
Life expectancy at birth in China is 78.0 years (2024).
What is the median age in China?
The median age in China is 40.1 years, meaning half the population is younger than that and half older.
Which continent is China in?
China is in Asia.