Population growth in China
China: Population growth was -0.2% in 2025. ◆ Volatile
Population growth in China, 1961–2025
Source: World Population Prospects, United Nations (UN), note: Derived from total population, publisher: UN Population Division. Measured in annual %.
Analysis
In 2025, population growth in China stood at -0.2%.
The figure is down 38.0% on the previous year and down 129.2% over ten years.
Over the whole period, population growth in China peaked at 2.8% in 1966 and was at its lowest, -1.0%, in 1961.
China ranks 187th of 215 countries on this measure, in the bottom quarter.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1960s | 2.0% | -1.0% | 2.8% | 9 |
| 1970s | 2.0% | 1.3% | 2.8% | 10 |
| 1980s | 1.4% | 1.3% | 1.6% | 10 |
| 1990s | 1.1% | 0.9% | 1.5% | 10 |
| 2000s | 0.6% | 0.5% | 0.8% | 10 |
| 2010s | 0.6% | 0.4% | 0.7% | 10 |
| 2020s | -0.0% | -0.2% | 0.2% | 6 |
Countries ranked near China
More climate change data for China
- Share of global CO₂ emissions and population 6.2% (2100)
- Population, total 1.41 billion (2025)
- Urban population growth 0.5% (2025)
- Urban population 933.17 million (2025)
- Urban population 66.3% (2025)
- CO₂ emissions per capita vs. GDP per capita 8.66 tonnes per person (2024)
- Cumulative CO₂ emissions 285.09 billion tonnes (2024)
- CO₂ emissions per capita 8.66 tonnes per person (2024)
- CO₂ emissions per capita vs. share of electricity generation from renewables 8.66 tonnes per person (2024)
- Share of global CO₂ emissions vs. share of population 31.8% (2024)
Frequently asked questions
- What is population growth in China?
- Population growth in China was -0.2% in 2025, according to World Population Prospects, United Nations (UN), note: Derived from total population, publisher: UN Population Division.
- What is the highest population growth recorded in China?
- The highest recorded value was 2.8% in 1966.
- What is the lowest population growth recorded in China?
- The lowest recorded value was -1.0% in 1961.
- How does China rank for population growth?
- China ranks 187th out of 215 countries with data for 2025.
- Is population growth rising or falling in China?
- Over the last ten years it is down 129.2%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this China data come from?
- The figures come from World Population Prospects, United Nations (UN), note: Derived from total population, publisher: UN Population Division, published as part of Population growth (annual %). Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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About this data
Annual population growth rate for year t is the exponential rate of growth of midyear population from year t-1 to t, expressed as a percentage. Population is based on the de facto definition of population, which counts all residents regardless of legal status or citizenship.