In 2023, approximately 127.1 million people lived in Guangdong province in China. That same year, only about 3.65 million people lived in the sparsely populated highlands of Tibet. Regional differences in China China is the world’s most populous country, with an exceptional economic growth momentum. The country can be roughly divided into three regions: Western, Eastern, and Central China. Western China covers the most remote regions from the sea. It also has the highest proportion of minority population and the lowest levels of economic output. Eastern China, on the other hand, enjoys a high level of economic development and international corporations. Central China lags behind in comparison to the booming coastal regions. In order to accelerate the economic development of Western and Central Chinese regions, the PRC government has ramped up several incentive plans such as ‘Rise of Central China’ and ‘China Western Development’. Economic power of different provinces When observed individually, some provinces could stand an international comparison. Jiangxi province, for example, a medium-sized Chinese province, had a population size comparable to Argentina or Spain in 2023. That year, the GDP of Zhejiang, an eastern coastal province, even exceeded the economic output of the Netherlands. In terms of per capita annual income, the municipality of Shanghai reached a level close to that of the Czech Republik. Nevertheless, as shown by the Gini Index, China’s economic spur leaves millions of people in dust. Among the various kinds of economic inequality in China, regional or the so-called coast-inland disparity is one of the most significant. Posing as evidence for the rather large income gap in China, the poorest province Heilongjiang had a per capita income similar to that of Sri Lanka that year.

In 2023, the ratio of urban to rural population varied greatly in different provinces of China. While Guangdong province had an urban population of around 95.8 million and a rural population of 31.2 million, Tibet had an urban population of only 1.4 million, but a rural population of around 2.2 million.

WorldPop produces different types of gridded population count datasets, depending on the methods used and end application. Please make sure you have read our Mapping Populations overview page before choosing and downloading a dataset.

Datasets are available to download in Geotiff and ASCII XYZ format at a resolution of 30 arc-seconds (approximately 1km at the equator)

-Unconstrained individual countries 2000-2020: Population density datasets for all countries of the World for each year 2000-2020 – derived from the corresponding Unconstrained individual countries 2000-2020 population count datasets by dividing the number of people in each pixel by the pixel surface area. These are produced using the unconstrained top-down modelling method.
-Unconstrained individual countries 2000-2020 UN adjusted: Population density datasets for all countries of the World for each year 2000-2020 – derived from the corresponding Unconstrained individual countries 2000-2020 population UN adjusted count datasets by dividing the number of people in each pixel, adjusted to match the country total from the official United Nations population estimates (UN 2019), by the pixel surface area. These are produced using the unconstrained top-down modelling method.

Data for earlier dates is available directly from WorldPop.

WorldPop (www.worldpop.org - School of Geography and Environmental Science, University of Southampton; Department of Geography and Geosciences, University of Louisville; Departement de Geographie, Universite de Namur) and Center for International Earth Science Information Network (CIESIN), Columbia University (2018). Global High Resolution Population Denominators Project - Funded by The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation (OPP1134076). https://dx.doi.org/10.5258/SOTON/WP00674

China Population: Natural Growth Rate data was reported at -0.060 % in 2022. This records a decrease from the previous number of 0.034 % for 2021. China Population: Natural Growth Rate data is updated yearly, averaging 1.203 % from Dec 1949 (Median) to 2022, with 74 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 3.333 % in 1963 and a record low of -0.457 % in 1960. China Population: Natural Growth Rate data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by National Bureau of Statistics. The data is categorized under China Premium Database’s Socio-Demographic – Table CN.GA: Population: Natural Growth Rate: By Region.

V1 dataset:Under the global framework of Shared Socioeconomic Pathways (SSPs), based on localized population and economic parameters, a Population Development Environment (PDE) model is adopted to construct population grid data for SSPs from 2020 to 2100; Using the Cobb Douglas model, construct economic data for SSPs from 2020 to 2100.The v1 dataset includes:Population grid data of the world, The Belt and Road region, and China, with a spatial resolution of 0.5°GDP grid data of the world, The Belt and Road region, and China, with a spatial resolution of 0.5 °Grid data on the output value of three industries in the Chinese region, with a spatial resolution of 0.1 °V2 dataset:Based on the data from the 7th National Population Census of China, starting from 2020, the parameters such as fertility rate, mortality rate, migration rate, and education level in the Population Development Environment (PDE) model were updated. Under the Shared Socioeconomic Pathways (SSP1-5), a new version (v2) of the total population and age and gender specific population projection dataset for China and its provinces from 2020 to 2100 was created. Based on the data from the 7th National Population Census and the 4th Economic Census of China, with 2020 as the starting year, the parameters of total factor productivity, capital stock, labor input, and capital elasticity coefficient in the Cobb Douglas model were updated. Under the shared SSP1-5, a new version (v2) of China and its provincial GDP projectiondataset from 2020 to 2100 was created.The v2 (2024 version) dataset includes:Total Population Data of China and Provinces (2020-2100)Population data by age and gender in China (2020-2100)China and Provincial GDP Data (2020-2100)

Population: Zhejiang: Shaoxing: Xinchang data was reported at 426.490 Person th in 2023. This records a decrease from the previous number of 428.879 Person th for 2022. Population: Zhejiang: Shaoxing: Xinchang data is updated yearly, averaging 435.836 Person th from Dec 2004 (Median) to 2023, with 20 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 439.400 Person th in 2013 and a record low of 426.490 Person th in 2023. Population: Zhejiang: Shaoxing: Xinchang data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by National Bureau of Statistics. The data is categorized under China Premium Database’s Socio-Demographic – Table CN.GJ: Population: County Level Region.

Taiwan, Province Of China administrative division with aggregated population. Built from Kontur Population: Global Population Density for 400m H3 Hexagons on top of OpenStreetMap administrative boundaries data. Enriched with HASC codes for regions taken from Wikidata.
Global version of boundaries dataset: Kontur Boundaries: Global administrative division with aggregated population

Population: Birth Rate: Liaoning data was reported at 0.406 % in 2023. This records a decrease from the previous number of 0.408 % for 2022. Population: Birth Rate: Liaoning data is updated yearly, averaging 0.664 % from Dec 1990 (Median) to 2023, with 34 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 1.630 % in 1990 and a record low of 0.406 % in 2023. Population: Birth Rate: Liaoning data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by National Bureau of Statistics. The data is categorized under China Premium Database’s Socio-Demographic – Table CN.GA: Population: Birth Rate: By Region.

In 2023, the population of Guangdong province in China amounted to around 127.06 million inhabitants, ranking first among all the provinces in China. The population density in Guangdong is also higher than in many countries in the world.

Notes from product: II. Notes on China 2000 and 2010 Population Census Data In order to guide you to use the data correctly, provide you some explanations as follows: (l) Census time: 0:00AM of November 1, 2000 and 2010 as the reference time for the census. (2) The 2000 and 2010 population census covered all persons who hold the nationality of, and have permanent residing place in the People's Republic of China. During the census, each person was enumerated in his/her permanent residing place. The following persons should be enumerated in their permanent residing place: a) Those who reside in the townships, towns and street communities and have their permanent household registration there. b) Those who have resided in the townships, towns and street communities for more than 6 months but the places of their permanent household registration are elsewhere. c) Those who have resided in the townships, towns and street communities for less than 6 months but have been away from the place of their permanent household registration for more than 6 months. d) Those who live in the townships, towns and street communities during the population census while the places of their household registration have not yet settled. e) Those who used to live in the townships, towns and street communities but are working or studying abroad during the census and have no Permanent household registration for the time being. (3) Two types of questionnaires (long form and short form) were used for the 2000 and 2010 population census. The short form contains items that reflect the basic situation of the population, while the long form include all short form items plus other items such as migration, education, economic activities, marriage and family, fertility , housing , etc. . According to the National Bureau of Statistics of China, the households for the Long Form survey were selected by a random sampling program. The data included in this product are from 100% Short Form survey.(4) Results in this publication are based on the processing of data directly from enumeration without any adjustment. It is therefore worthwhile to notice the following: a. Data in the publication do not include population not enumerated in the Census. b. Data in the publication do not include the servicemen of the People's Liberation Army. c. The post-enumeration sample survey indicates an undercount of 1.81% in 2000 Census and 0.12% in 2010 Census. III. Notes on the China Province GIS Maps for the 2000 and 2010 Population Census Data (1) The China Province GIS map were developed for the 2000 and 2010 population Census data, which covered all 31 municipalities, provinces and autonomous regions of China, except for Taiwan, Hong Kong and Macao. (2) The population data came from the 5th and 6th China Population Census surveyed in 2000 and 2010. The GIS data is based on the national digital map (1:1 million) developed by the National Geographic Information Center of China (NGCC), including rives, roads, residential area and administrative boundaries.(3) The China province GIS maps are developed for matching 2000 and 2010 China population Census data, which should only be used as references for research or education instead of used as official maps. The distributor is not responsible for the accuracy of the those maps if the maps are used for business or other purposes.

Population: County: Age 65 and Above: Hainan data was reported at 0.527 Person th in 2022. This records a decrease from the previous number of 0.534 Person th for 2021. Population: County: Age 65 and Above: Hainan data is updated yearly, averaging 0.381 Person th from Dec 1997 (Median) to 2022, with 26 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 499.994 Person th in 2020 and a record low of 0.272 Person th in 2017. Population: County: Age 65 and Above: Hainan data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by National Bureau of Statistics. The data is categorized under China Premium Database’s Socio-Demographic – Table CN.GA: Population: Sample Survey: By Age and Region: Rural.

Population: Beijing data was reported at 23.018 Person th in 2023. This records an increase from the previous number of 22.372 Person th for 2022. Population: Beijing data is updated yearly, averaging 17.454 Person th from Dec 1982 (Median) to 2023, with 29 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 21,893.095 Person th in 2020 and a record low of 12.245 Person th in 1999. Population: Beijing data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by National Bureau of Statistics. The data is categorized under China Premium Database’s Socio-Demographic – Table CN.GA: Population: Sample Survey: By Region.

Population: Age 0 to 14: Guangdong data was reported at 24.052 Person th in 2023. This records an increase from the previous number of 23.941 Person th for 2022. Population: Age 0 to 14: Guangdong data is updated yearly, averaging 19.528 Person th from Dec 1982 (Median) to 2023, with 29 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 23,749.882 Person th in 2020 and a record low of 14.278 Person th in 2019. Population: Age 0 to 14: Guangdong data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by National Bureau of Statistics. The data is categorized under China Premium Database’s Socio-Demographic – Table CN.GA: Population: Sample Survey: By Age and Region.

Population: Hunan: Changsha: Changsha data was reported at 1,427.500 Person th in 2022. This records an increase from the previous number of 1,400.100 Person th for 2021. Population: Hunan: Changsha: Changsha data is updated yearly, averaging 986.700 Person th from Dec 2004 (Median) to 2022, with 19 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 1,427.500 Person th in 2022 and a record low of 740.000 Person th in 2004. Population: Hunan: Changsha: Changsha data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by National Bureau of Statistics. The data is categorized under China Premium Database’s Socio-Demographic – Table CN.GJ: Population: County Level Region.

Population: Zhejiang: Huzhou: Anji data was reported at 475.454 Person th in 2023. This records an increase from the previous number of 475.289 Person th for 2022. Population: Zhejiang: Huzhou: Anji data is updated yearly, averaging 462.900 Person th from Dec 2004 (Median) to 2023, with 20 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 475.454 Person th in 2023 and a record low of 448.000 Person th in 2004. Population: Zhejiang: Huzhou: Anji data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by National Bureau of Statistics. The data is categorized under China Premium Database’s Socio-Demographic – Table CN.GJ: Population: County Level Region.

Taiwan (Province of China) population density for 400m H3 hexagons.

Built from Kontur Population: Global Population Density for 400m H3 Hexagons Vector H3 hexagons with population counts at 400m resolution.

Fixed up fusion of GHSL, Facebook, Microsoft Buildings, Copernicus Global Land Service Land Cover, Land Information New Zealand, and OpenStreetMap data.

Population: County: Age 65 and Above: Guizhou data was reported at 2.794 Person th in 2022. This records a decrease from the previous number of 2.830 Person th for 2021. Population: County: Age 65 and Above: Guizhou data is updated yearly, averaging 1.945 Person th from Dec 1997 (Median) to 2022, with 26 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 2,675.335 Person th in 2020 and a record low of 1.455 Person th in 1999. Population: County: Age 65 and Above: Guizhou data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by National Bureau of Statistics. The data is categorized under China Premium Database’s Socio-Demographic – Table CN.GA: Population: Sample Survey: By Age and Region: Rural.

This statistic shows the population density in urban areas of China in 2023, by region. In 2023, cities in Heilongjiang province had the highest population density in China with around 5,361 people living on one square kilometer on average. However, as the administrative areas of many Chinese cities reach beyond their contiguous built-up urban areas - and this by varying degree, the statistical significance of the given figures may be limited. By comparison, the Chinese province with the highest overall population density is Jiangsu province in Eastern China reaching about 7956 people per square kilometer in 2023.

Population: Fujian: Zhangzhou: Huaan data was reported at 157.039 Person th in 2023. This records a decrease from the previous number of 160.977 Person th for 2022. Population: Fujian: Zhangzhou: Huaan data is updated yearly, averaging 163.764 Person th from Dec 2004 (Median) to 2023, with 20 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 169.500 Person th in 2018 and a record low of 157.039 Person th in 2023. Population: Fujian: Zhangzhou: Huaan data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by National Bureau of Statistics. The data is categorized under China Premium Database’s Socio-Demographic – Table CN.GJ: Population: County Level Region.

Population: Yunnan: Baoshan: Changning data was reported at 307.000 Person th in 2022. This records a decrease from the previous number of 314.000 Person th for 2021. Population: Yunnan: Baoshan: Changning data is updated yearly, averaging 339.400 Person th from Dec 2004 (Median) to 2022, with 19 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 348.200 Person th in 2012 and a record low of 307.000 Person th in 2022. Population: Yunnan: Baoshan: Changning data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by National Bureau of Statistics. The data is categorized under China Premium Database’s Socio-Demographic – Table CN.GJ: Population: County Level Region.