In 2024, approximately 127.8 million people lived in Guangdong province in China. That same year, only about 3.7 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 2024. 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.

China is a vast and diverse country and population density in different regions varies greatly. In 2024, the estimated population density of the administrative area of Shanghai municipality reached about 3,911 inhabitants per square kilometer, whereas statistically only around three people were living on one square kilometer in Tibet. Population distribution in China China's population is unevenly distributed across the country: while most people are living in the southeastern half of the country, the northwestern half – which includes the provinces and autonomous regions of Tibet, Xinjiang, Qinghai, Gansu, and Inner Mongolia – is only sparsely populated. Even the inhabitants of a single province might be unequally distributed within its borders. This is significantly influenced by the geography of each region, and is especially the case in the Guangdong, Fujian, or Sichuan provinces due to their mountain ranges. The Chinese provinces with the largest absolute population size are Guangdong in the south, Shandong in the east and Henan in Central China. Urbanization and city population Urbanization is one of the main factors which have been reshaping China over the last four decades. However, when comparing the size of cities and urban population density, one has to bear in mind that data often refers to the administrative area of cities or urban units, which might be much larger than the contiguous built-up area of that city. The administrative area of Beijing municipality, for example, includes large rural districts, where only around 200 inhabitants are living per square kilometer on average, while roughly 20,000 residents per square kilometer are living in the two central city districts. This is the main reason for the huge difference in population density between the four Chinese municipalities Beijing, Tianjin, Shanghai, and Chongqing shown in many population statistics.

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.

In 2023, the natural growth rate of the population across China varied between 7.96 people per 1,000 inhabitants (per mille) in Tibet and -6.92 per mille in Heilongjiang province. The national total population growth rate turned negative in 2022 and ranged at -1.48 per mille in 2023. Regional disparities in population growth The natural growth rate is the difference between the birth rate and the death rate of a certain region. In China, natural population growth reached the highest values in the western regions of the country. These areas have a younger population and higher fertility rates. Although the natural growth rate does not include the direct effects of migration, migrants are often young people in their reproductive years, and their movement may therefore indirectly affect the birth rates of their home and host region. This is one of the reasons why Guangdong province, which received a lot of immigrants over the last decades, has a comparatively high population growth rate. At the same time, Jilin, Liaoning, and Heilongjiang province, all located in northeast China, suffer not only from low fertility, but also from emigration of young people searching for better jobs elsewhere. The impact of uneven population growth The current distribution of natural population growth rates across China is most likely to remain in the near future, while overall population decline is expected to accelerate. Regions with less favorable economic opportunities will lose their inhabitants faster. The western regions with their high fertility rates, however, have only small total populations, which limits their effect on China’s overall population size.

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.

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.

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 ***** 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.

CN: Population: Birth Rate: Qinghai data was reported at 1.011 % in 2024. This records an increase from the previous number of 0.925 % for 2023. CN: Population: Birth Rate: Qinghai data is updated yearly, averaging 1.494 % from Dec 1990 (Median) to 2024, with 35 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 2.434 % in 1990 and a record low of 0.925 % in 2023. CN: Population: Birth Rate: Qinghai 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.

taiwan - Population for Taiwan Province of China was 99.87531 Mil. of Persons in December of 2024, according to the United States Federal Reserve. Historically, taiwan - Population for Taiwan Province of China reached a record high of 100.00000 in April of 2023 and a record low of 77.77778 in August of 2018. Trading Economics provides the current actual value, an historical data chart and related indicators for taiwan - Population for Taiwan Province of China - last updated from the United States Federal Reserve on December of 2025.

China Life Expectancy data was reported at 78.200 Year Old in 2021. This records an increase from the previous number of 77.930 Year Old for 2020. China Life Expectancy data is updated yearly, averaging 76.340 Year Old from Dec 1981 (Median) to 2021, with 13 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 78.200 Year Old in 2021 and a record low of 67.770 Year Old in 1981. China Life Expectancy 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: Life Expectancy: By Region. According to the National Health Commission, from 2016 to 2017, the average life expectancy of residents per capita has increased from 76.5 to 76.7 years. For reference only. 根据国家卫生健康委员会，从2016年到2017年，居民人均预期寿命由76.5岁提高到76.7岁。以供參考。

The age structure of the population in China varies greatly across different regions. In 2023, only around 9.6 percent of the population in Shanghai municipality was aged 14 years or younger, while this share amounted to 24.4 percent in Tibet.

Population: Zhejiang: Jinhua: Yiwu data was reported at 911.520 Person th in 2023. This records an increase from the previous number of 890.820 Person th for 2022. Population: Zhejiang: Jinhua: Yiwu data is updated yearly, averaging 844.736 Person th from Dec 2004 (Median) to 2023, with 20 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 1,148.000 Person th in 2010 and a record low of 747.400 Person th in 2011. Population: Zhejiang: Jinhua: Yiwu 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: Registered: Heilongjiang data was reported at 25.922 Person th in 2023. This records an increase from the previous number of 25.115 Person th for 2022. Population: Registered: Heilongjiang data is updated yearly, averaging 31.526 Person th from Dec 1982 (Median) to 2023, with 29 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 33,347.753 Person th in 1990 and a record low of 23.638 Person th in 2021. Population: Registered: Heilongjiang 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.

In 2024, the total resident population of Zhejiang province in China amounted to around **** million inhabitants. Zhejiang is an economically prosperous coastal province in Eastern China.

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.

Population: Shanghai data was reported at 26.187 Person th in 2023. This records an increase from the previous number of 25.347 Person th for 2022. Population: Shanghai data is updated yearly, averaging 19.877 Person th from Dec 1982 (Median) to 2023, with 29 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 24,870.895 Person th in 2020 and a record low of 14.394 Person th in 1999. Population: Shanghai 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.

The graph shows the share of ethnic minorities in the population of China's minority autonomous regions by province. In 2020, about 57.76 percent of the population in minority areas in Xinjiang belonged to ethnic minorities.

Population: Registered: Shaanxi data was reported at 31.364 Person th in 2023. This records an increase from the previous number of 30.917 Person th for 2022. Population: Registered: Shaanxi data is updated yearly, averaging 32.645 Person th from Dec 1982 (Median) to 2023, with 29 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 32,713.319 Person th in 2000 and a record low of 25.560 Person th in 2019. Population: Registered: Shaanxi 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.

In 2024, the population of Guangdong province in China amounted to around ***** 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.

Population: Gansu: Longnan: Hui data was reported at 225.106 Person th in 2019. This records an increase from the previous number of 225.098 Person th for 2018. Population: Gansu: Longnan: Hui data is updated yearly, averaging 220.000 Person th from Dec 2004 (Median) to 2019, with 15 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 225.106 Person th in 2019 and a record low of 214.400 Person th in 2013. Population: Gansu: Longnan: Hui 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.