China vs India: Population in the largest city
China
2.32
in 2020
India
2.49
in 2020
China rank
179th
India rank
178th
Population in the largest city over time
- China
- India
How they compare
India currently reports 2.49 against 2.32 in China, a difference of 0.17.
That makes India's figure about 1.1 times China's.
Across all 15 years both countries report, India has been ahead every year.
China ranks 179th and India ranks 178th of 179 countries.
India has averaged higher in every one of the 8 decades both report.
Head to head by decade
| Decade | China | India | Difference | Ahead |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1950s | 0.9211 | 3.42 | 2.5 | India |
| 1960s | 0.9604 | 3.1 | 2.14 | India |
| 1970s | 0.7746 | 2.74 | 1.97 | India |
| 1980s | 0.7604 | 2.51 | 1.75 | India |
| 1990s | 0.9664 | 2.31 | 1.34 | India |
| 2000s | 1.95 | 2.25 | 0.2962 | India |
| 2010s | 2.17 | 2.36 | 0.1962 | India |
| 2020s | 2.32 | 2.49 | 0.1696 | India |
Averages of every year both report within each decade.
Frequently asked questions
- Which has higher population in the largest city, China or India?
- India, at 2.49 against 2.32 in China as of 2020.
- What is the difference in population in the largest city between China and India?
- 0.17, with India ahead.
- How many years of comparable data are there for China and India?
- 15 years are reported by both, from 1950 to 2020.
- How do China and India rank globally for population in the largest city?
- China ranks 179th and India ranks 178th of 179 countries.
- Where does this data come from?
- Our World in Data, published as Population in the largest city. Statizoid refreshes it automatically from the source and publishes the full history for both places.