China is a vast and diverse country and population density in different regions varies greatly. In 2023, the estimated population density of the administrative area of Shanghai municipality reached about 3,922 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 2022, the estimated population density of China was around 150.42 people per square kilometer. That year, China's population size declined for the first time in decades. Although China is the most populous country in the world, its overall population density is not much higher than the average population density in Asia. Uneven population distribution China is one of the largest countries in terms of land area, and its population density figures vary dramatically from region to region. Overall, the coastal regions in the East and Southeast have the highest population densities, as they belong to the more economically developed regions of the country. These coastal regions also have a higher urbanization rate. On the contrary, the regions in the West are covered with mountain landscapes which are not suitable for the development of big cities. Populous cities in China Several Chinese cities rank among the most populous cities in the world. According to estimates, Beijing and Shanghai will rank among the top ten megacities in the world by 2030. Both cities are also the largest Chinese cities in terms of land area. The previous colonial regions, Macao and Hong Kong, are two of the most densely populated cities in the world.

Population density (people per sq. km of land area) in China was reported at 150 sq. Km in 2022, according to the World Bank collection of development indicators, compiled from officially recognized sources. China - Population density (people per sq. km) - actual values, historical data, forecasts and projections were sourced from the World Bank on September of 2025.

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.

China Population Density: Inhabitants per sq km data was reported at 151.290 Person in 2022. This stayed constant from the previous number of 151.290 Person for 2021. China Population Density: Inhabitants per sq km data is updated yearly, averaging 139.320 Person from Dec 1990 (Median) to 2022, with 33 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 151.290 Person in 2022 and a record low of 122.410 Person in 1990. China Population Density: Inhabitants per sq km data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development. The data is categorized under Global Database’s China – Table CN.OECD.GGI: Social: Demography: Non OECD Member: Annual.

Population: This dataset contains 65-years’ time serial data of whole China (unit: million persons), each provinces (unit: 10000 persons), and each county. The source data are originally collected from China Statistical Yearbook from 1949 to 2013. The county data covers 2000, 2006, 2007, and 2009. In addition, 4 years (1995, 2000, 2005, 2010) population distributions cover the whole land region in China are also included in this dataset. Such data is expressed as raster format with 1 km resolution and a projection of Albers. Attribute information mainly includes population density (unit: number of person per square kilometer). The source data are originally provided by Data Center for Resources and Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences (RESDC) (http://www.resdc.cn) and Data Sharing Infrastructure of Earth System Science (http://www.geodata.cn).These data are not intended for demarcation.

Historical dataset showing China population density by year from 1961 to 2022.

Population Density data was reported at 21.100 Person/sq km th in 2017. This records a decrease from the previous number of 21.400 Person/sq km th for 2016. Population Density data is updated yearly, averaging 18.500 Person/sq km th from Dec 1985 (Median) to 2017, with 33 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 21.400 Person/sq km th in 2016 and a record low of 16.200 Person/sq km th in 2003. Population Density data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Statistics and Census Service. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Macau SAR – Table MO.G006: Population Density.

The China County-Level Data on Population (Census) and Agriculture, Keyed To 1:1M GIS Map consists of census, agricultural economic, and boundary data for the administrative regions of China for 1990. The census data includes urban and rural residency, age and sex distribution, educational attainment, illiteracy, marital status, childbirth, mortality, immigration (since 1985), industrial/economic activity, occupation, and ethnicity. The agricultural economic data encompasses rural population, labor force, forestry, livestock and fishery, commodities, equipment, utilities, irrigation, and output value. The boundary data are at a scale of one to one million (1:1M) at the county level. This data set is produced in collaboration with the University of Washington as part of the China in Time and Space (CITAS) project, University of California-Davis China in Time and Space (CITAS) project, and the Center for International Earth Science Information Network (CIESIN).

Population density population distribution is the main form and the main indicators to measure regional differences in population distribution. Town (Street) at the grass-roots administrative system in China, is China's smallest administrative unit of the public release of census data, population density in the township-level data can be objective and precise characterization of the spatial pattern of population distribution and trends in China, and for research on resources, environment and population issues is of great significance. Paper standardized processing has China Liaoning, and Jilin, and in Inner Mongolia (part area), and Beijing, and Tianjin, and Shanghai, and Hebei, and Henan, and Shaanxi, and Ningxia, and Shanxi, and Shandong, and Anhui, and Jiangsu, and Hunan, and Hubei, and Jiangxi, and Zhejiang, and Fujian, and Guangdong, and Hainan, and Yunnan, and Guizhou, and Qinghai, and Tibet, 25 a province (municipalities, and autonomous regions) Township (Street) level administrative line data and the fifth times census Township (Street) level population statistics data, guarantee Township border county (district) Territories consistent, and Spatial and census information for each township unit corresponds to one by one. On this basis, accurately matching the spatial extent of each township and census information, calculated the average population density of communes, form the data set.

In 2023, the average population density of Beijing municipality was ***** people per square kilometer, slightly less than in the previous year. Beijing municipality includes the city center and the relatively large urban area around the city. The population density in different districts of Beijing municipality varies greatly.

Hong Kong SAR (China) Population Density: Inhabitants per sq km data was reported at 7,110.400 Person in 2022. This records a decrease from the previous number of 7,128.190 Person for 2021. Hong Kong SAR (China) Population Density: Inhabitants per sq km data is updated yearly, averaging 6,601.040 Person from Dec 1990 (Median) to 2022, with 33 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 7,133.560 Person in 2020 and a record low of 5,616.760 Person in 1990. Hong Kong SAR (China) Population Density: Inhabitants per sq km data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Hong Kong SAR (China) – Table HK.OECD.GGI: Social: Demography: Non OECD Member: Annual.

The computed population density data for the map is based on a media CD released by ESRI in 2006. According to the media CD, China in 2006 comprised of 33 provinces. These include Tibet (now named Xizang, an autonomously administered region), Hong Kong and Macau (both of which are designated as special districts) along with Xingiang in the west, parts of which are involved in an unsettled border dispute with a neighboring country, as can be seen by a dotted line in google base map of the region and Taiwan. Compare this map with the population density map of 2002 that now has only 32 provinces...

About this dataset

Context

The dataset tabulates the China population distribution across 18 age groups. It lists the population in each age group along with the percentage population relative of the total population for China. The dataset can be utilized to understand the population distribution of China by age. For example, using this dataset, we can identify the largest age group in China.

Key observations

The largest age group in China, TX was for the group of age 15 to 19 years years with a population of 102 (11.43%), according to the ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates. At the same time, the smallest age group in China, TX was the 80 to 84 years years with a population of 11 (1.23%). Source: U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS) 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates

Content

When available, the data consists of estimates from the U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS) 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates

Age groups:

• Under 5 years
• 5 to 9 years
• 10 to 14 years
• 15 to 19 years
• 20 to 24 years
• 25 to 29 years
• 30 to 34 years
• 35 to 39 years
• 40 to 44 years
• 45 to 49 years
• 50 to 54 years
• 55 to 59 years
• 60 to 64 years
• 65 to 69 years
• 70 to 74 years
• 75 to 79 years
• 80 to 84 years
• 85 years and over

Variables / Data Columns

• Age Group: This column displays the age group in consideration
• Population: The population for the specific age group in the China is shown in this column.
• % of Total Population: This column displays the population of each age group as a proportion of China total population. Please note that the sum of all percentages may not equal one due to rounding of values.

Good to know

Margin of Error

Data in the dataset are based on the estimates and are subject to sampling variability and thus a margin of error. Neilsberg Research recommends using caution when presening these estimates in your research.

Custom data

If you do need custom data for any of your research project, report or presentation, you can contact our research staff at research@neilsberg.com for a feasibility of a custom tabulation on a fee-for-service basis.

Inspiration

Neilsberg Research Team curates, analyze and publishes demographics and economic data from a variety of public and proprietary sources, each of which often includes multiple surveys and programs. The large majority of Neilsberg Research aggregated datasets and insights is made available for free download at https://www.neilsberg.com/research/.

Recommended for further research

This dataset is a part of the main dataset for China Population by Age. You can refer the same here

Macau SAR (China) Population Density: Inhabitants per sq km data was reported at 21,344.140 Person in 2022. This records an increase from the previous number of 21,042.480 Person for 2021. Macau SAR (China) Population Density: Inhabitants per sq km data is updated yearly, averaging 19,647.000 Person from Dec 1990 (Median) to 2022, with 33 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 21,865.450 Person in 2000 and a record low of 16,889.410 Person in 2002. Macau SAR (China) Population Density: Inhabitants per sq km data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Macau SAR (China) – Table MO.OECD.GGI: Social: Demography: Non OECD Member: Annual.

In 2023, the average resident population density in the Shanghai municipality was ***** people per square kilometer. This figure remained largely unchanged in the recent five years.

Township is so far the smallest unit for official demographic statistics in China. When correlated with administrative boundary, demographic data can be used to analyze the spatial distribution of population, which is significant for research on geography, resources, environment, ecology, disasters, sustainable development, etc. Based on the demographic data of the 31 provinces, municipalities and autonomous regions publicized by the National Bureau of Statistics in 2010, we correlated township administrative units with the number of population in each, while attending to spatial topological problems such as pattern spot gaps and overlaps between the spatial divisions. In total, 42122 spatial units were paired with their demographic data by using the decision tree. The average population density was calculated as the number of population per spatial unit, which was then converted into vector data for generating the dataset of township-level population density in China (2010). A validation of the data shows an overall accuracy of 99%, with a less than 10% deviation for each province or municipality. The dataset is in the TIFF format, with a total volume of 108 MB.

150.4 (people per sq. km) in 2022. Population density is midyear population divided by land area in square kilometers.

Metadata document for datasets included in this data collection.

About this dataset

Context

The dataset tabulates the China town population distribution across 18 age groups. It lists the population in each age group along with the percentage population relative of the total population for China town. The dataset can be utilized to understand the population distribution of China town by age. For example, using this dataset, we can identify the largest age group in China town.

Key observations

The largest age group in China, Maine was for the group of age 55 to 59 years years with a population of 465 (10.39%), according to the ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates. At the same time, the smallest age group in China, Maine was the 85 years and over years with a population of 12 (0.27%). Source: U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS) 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates

Content

When available, the data consists of estimates from the U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS) 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates

Age groups:

• Under 5 years
• 5 to 9 years
• 10 to 14 years
• 15 to 19 years
• 20 to 24 years
• 25 to 29 years
• 30 to 34 years
• 35 to 39 years
• 40 to 44 years
• 45 to 49 years
• 50 to 54 years
• 55 to 59 years
• 60 to 64 years
• 65 to 69 years
• 70 to 74 years
• 75 to 79 years
• 80 to 84 years
• 85 years and over

Variables / Data Columns

• Age Group: This column displays the age group in consideration
• Population: The population for the specific age group in the China town is shown in this column.
• % of Total Population: This column displays the population of each age group as a proportion of China town total population. Please note that the sum of all percentages may not equal one due to rounding of values.

Good to know

Margin of Error

Data in the dataset are based on the estimates and are subject to sampling variability and thus a margin of error. Neilsberg Research recommends using caution when presening these estimates in your research.

Custom data

If you do need custom data for any of your research project, report or presentation, you can contact our research staff at research@neilsberg.com for a feasibility of a custom tabulation on a fee-for-service basis.

Inspiration

Neilsberg Research Team curates, analyze and publishes demographics and economic data from a variety of public and proprietary sources, each of which often includes multiple surveys and programs. The large majority of Neilsberg Research aggregated datasets and insights is made available for free download at https://www.neilsberg.com/research/.

Recommended for further research

This dataset is a part of the main dataset for China town Population by Age. You can refer the same here