The share of urban population in China amounted to 64.57 percent in 2023. Between 1960 and 2023, the share rose by 48.37 percentage points, though the increase followed an uneven trajectory rather than a consistent upward trend.

Graph and download economic data for Population, Total for China (POPTOTCNA647NWDB) from 1960 to 2024 about China and population.

Yearly (annual) dataset of the China Population, including historical data, latest releases, and long-term trends from 1960-12-31 to 2024-12-31. Available for free download in CSV format.

Complete population data for China showing how many people live in China from 1960 to 2024

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.

Historical dataset showing China urban population by year from 1960 to 2023.

Graph and download economic data for Population Ages 15 to 64 for China (SPPOP1564TOZSCHN) from 1960 to 2024 about 15 to 64 years, China, and population.

In the world's most populous country, life expectancy has been continuously rising over the last decades, benefitting greatly from China's economic ascendance. In 2022, average life expectancy at birth in China reached about 78.6 years. Life expectancy at birth Life expectancy at birth refers to the average number of years a group of people born in the same year would live, assuming constant mortality rates. San Marino and Monaco had the highest life expectancy at birth, while China had reached a life expectancy above global average. People who were born in San Marino or Monaco in 2023 had a life expectancy of approximately 87 years or 86 years on average respectively. Demographic development in China Whereas average life expectancy at birth has been growing steadily, birth rates in China have been experiencing a slowdown. In 2024, about 6.77 babies had been born per 1,000 women in China, the second lowest point in the recent decade. As a result of low fertility rates and the extended life expectancy in China, the share of elderly people had been rising rapidly. The number of Chinese population aged 60 and older had more than doubled over the past three decades and is projected to reach its peak at 504 million in 2050. People aged 60 and older have been estimated to account for approximately one fourth of China’s total population by 2030, indicating a sharp climb from just around 13 percent in 2010. In order to pinpoint this massive shift in the age pyramid of China, an important indicator for measuring the pressure of aging population on productive population may be consulted. The old-age dependency ratio in China was expected to reach 52.3 percent in 2050.

Historical dataset showing China rural population by year from 1960 to 2023.

Since 1970, the median age of China’s population has continued to increase from around ** years to around **** years in 2020. According to estimates from the United Nations, the increasing trend will slow down when the median age will reach ** years in the middle of the 21st century and will remain at around ** years up to 2100. China’s aging population Although the median age of China’s population is still lower than in many developed countries, for example in Japan, the consequences of a rapidly aging population have already become a concern for the country’s future. As the most populated country in the world, the large labor force in China contributed to the country’s astonishing economic growth in the last decades. Nowadays however, the aging population is going to become a burden for China’s social welfare system and could change China’s economic situation. Reasons for the aging population Like in many other countries, increasing life expectancy is regarded as the main reason for the aging of the population. As healthcare and living standards have improved, life expectancy in China has also increased. In addition, the one-child policy led to a decreasing fertility rate in China, which further increased the share of older people in the society. Even though the one-child policy has been abolished in 2016, many young people are refraining from having children, largely due to the high costs of raising a child, career pressure and the pursuit of freedom.

Complete population data for Hong Kong SAR, China showing how many people live in Hong Kong SAR, China from 1960 to 2024

China Population: Number of Natural Growth data was reported at -0.850 Person mn in 2022. This records a decrease from the previous number of 0.480 Person mn for 2021. China Population: Number of Natural Growth data is updated yearly, averaging 12.085 Person mn from Dec 1950 (Median) to 2022, with 70 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 22.700 Person mn in 1963 and a record low of -3.040 Person mn in 1960. China Population: Number of Natural Growth 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: No of Birth, Death, Natural Growth, Birth Rate, Death Rate and Natural Growth Rate, Life Expectancy, Dependency Ratio.

China: Rural population, percent of total population: The latest value from 2024 is 34.46 percent, a decline from 35.43 percent in 2023. In comparison, the world average is 38.30 percent, based on data from 196 countries. Historically, the average for China from 1960 to 2024 is 66.68 percent. The minimum value, 34.46 percent, was reached in 2024 while the maximum of 83.8 percent was recorded in 1960.

Graph and download economic data for Population ages 65 and above for China (SPPOP65UPTOZSCHN) from 1960 to 2024 about 65-years +, China, and population.

China: Population ages 65 and above, percent of total: The latest value from 2024 is 14.67 percent, an increase from 14.32 percent in 2023. In comparison, the world average is 10.43 percent, based on data from 196 countries. Historically, the average for China from 1960 to 2024 is 6.65 percent. The minimum value, 3.63 percent, was reached in 1966 while the maximum of 14.67 percent was recorded in 2024.

Time series data for the statistic Population ages 0-14, female and country Macao SAR, China. Indicator Definition:Female population between the ages 0 to 14. Population is based on the de facto definition of population, which counts all residents regardless of legal status or citizenship.The indicator "Population ages 0-14, female" stands at 46.51 Thousand as of 12/31/2024, the lowest value since 12/31/2020. Regarding the One-Year-Change of the series, the current value constitutes a decrease of -0.3749 percent compared to the value the year prior.The 1 year change in percent is -0.3749.The 3 year change in percent is -3.34.The 5 year change in percent is 0.5231.The 10 year change in percent is 18.23.The Serie's long term average value is 43.22 Thousand. It's latest available value, on 12/31/2024, is 7.60 percent higher, compared to it's long term average value.The Serie's change in percent from it's minimum value, on 12/31/1981, to it's latest available value, on 12/31/2024, is +62.02%.The Serie's change in percent from it's maximum value, on 12/31/1965, to it's latest available value, on 12/31/2024, is -32.86%.

China Population: Number of Death data was reported at 10.410 Person mn in 2022. This records an increase from the previous number of 10.140 Person mn for 2021. China Population: Number of Death data is updated yearly, averaging 7.795 Person mn from Dec 1950 (Median) to 2022, with 70 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 16.930 Person mn in 1960 and a record low of 5.980 Person mn in 1978. China Population: Number of Death 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: No of Birth, Death, Natural Growth, Birth Rate, Death Rate and Natural Growth Rate, Life Expectancy, Dependency Ratio.

Time series data for the statistic Population ages 55-59, male and country Macao SAR, China. Indicator Definition:Male population between the ages 55 to 59.The indicator "Population ages 55-59, male" stands at 17.21 Thousand as of 12/31/2024, the lowest value since 12/31/2011. Regarding the One-Year-Change of the series, the current value constitutes a decrease of -4.07 percent compared to the value the year prior.The 1 year change in percent is -4.07.The 3 year change in percent is -17.59.The 5 year change in percent is -23.76.The 10 year change in percent is -27.18.The Serie's long term average value is 9.04 Thousand. It's latest available value, on 12/31/2024, is 90.40 percent higher, compared to it's long term average value.The Serie's change in percent from it's minimum value, on 12/31/1975, to it's latest available value, on 12/31/2024, is +539.65%.The Serie's change in percent from it's maximum value, on 12/31/2015, to it's latest available value, on 12/31/2024, is -28.48%.

Time series data for the statistic Population ages 65-69, female (% of female population) and country Macao SAR, China. Indicator Definition:Female population between the ages 65 to 69 as a percentage of the total female population.The indicator "Population ages 65-69, female (% of female population)" stands at 5.75 as of 12/31/2024, the highest value at least since 12/31/1961, the period currently displayed. Regarding the One-Year-Change of the series, the current value constitutes an increase of 3.09 percent compared to the value the year prior.The 1 year change in percent is 3.09.The 3 year change in percent is 16.45.The 5 year change in percent is 32.77.The 10 year change in percent is 96.03.The Serie's long term average value is 2.93. It's latest available value, on 12/31/2024, is 96.34 percent higher, compared to it's long term average value.The Serie's change in percent from it's minimum value, on 12/31/2007, to it's latest available value, on 12/31/2024, is +231.23%.The Serie's change in percent from it's maximum value, on 12/31/2024, to it's latest available value, on 12/31/2024, is 0.0%.

Hong Kong HK: Population: Total: Aged 15-64 data was reported at 5,337,419.000 Person in 2017. This records a decrease from the previous number of 5,357,341.000 Person for 2016. Hong Kong HK: Population: Total: Aged 15-64 data is updated yearly, averaging 3,966,373.000 Person from Dec 1960 (Median) to 2017, with 58 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 5,367,278.000 Person in 2014 and a record low of 1,742,762.000 Person in 1960. Hong Kong HK: Population: Total: Aged 15-64 data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by World Bank. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Hong Kong SAR – Table HK.World Bank.WDI: Population and Urbanization Statistics. Total population between the ages 15 to 64. Population is based on the de facto definition of population, which counts all residents regardless of legal status or citizenship.; ; World Bank staff estimates using the World Bank's total population and age/sex distributions of the United Nations Population Division's World Population Prospects: 2017 Revision.; Sum;