China vs United States: Population in the largest city
China
2.32
in 2020
United States
5.59
in 2020
China rank
179th
United States rank
177th
Population in the largest city over time
- China
- United States
How they compare
United States currently reports 5.59 against 2.32 in China, a difference of 3.27.
That makes United States's figure about 2.4 times China's.
Across all 15 years both countries report, United States has been ahead every year.
China ranks 179th and United States ranks 177th of 179 countries.
United States has averaged higher in every one of the 8 decades both report.
Head to head by decade
| Decade | China | United States | Difference | Ahead |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1950s | 0.9211 | 10.12 | 9.2 | United States |
| 1960s | 0.9604 | 9.38 | 8.42 | United States |
| 1970s | 0.7746 | 8.7 | 7.93 | United States |
| 1980s | 0.7604 | 7.57 | 6.81 | United States |
| 1990s | 0.9664 | 6.89 | 5.93 | United States |
| 2000s | 1.95 | 6.44 | 4.49 | United States |
| 2010s | 2.17 | 5.88 | 3.72 | United States |
| 2020s | 2.32 | 5.59 | 3.27 | United States |
Averages of every year both report within each decade.
Frequently asked questions
- Which has higher population in the largest city, China or United States?
- United States, at 5.59 against 2.32 in China as of 2020.
- What is the difference in population in the largest city between China and United States?
- 3.27, with United States ahead.
- How many years of comparable data are there for China and United States?
- 15 years are reported by both, from 1950 to 2020.
- How do China and United States rank globally for population in the largest city?
- China ranks 179th and United States ranks 177th 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.