Total fertility rate vs. wanted fertility rate in China
China: Total fertility rate vs. wanted fertility rate was 1.01 births per woman in 2024. ◆ Volatile
Total fertility rate vs. wanted fertility rate in China, 1960–2024
Source: United Nations Population Division, national statistical offices, and Eurostat, via World Bank (2026) – processed by Our World in Data. Measured in births per woman.
Analysis
The most recent figure for total fertility rate vs. wanted fertility rate in China is 1.01 births per woman, measured in 2024.
That represents a change of up 1.4% on the previous year and down 42.7% over ten years.
Over the whole period, total fertility rate vs. wanted fertility rate in China peaked at 7.51 births per woman in 1963 and was at its lowest, 0.999 births per woman, in 2023.
That places China 208th out of 215 countries with data for 2024, putting it in the bottom quarter.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1960s | 6 births per woman | 3.86 births per woman | 7.51 births per woman | 10 |
| 1970s | 4.07 births per woman | 2.72 births per woman | 6.08 births per woman | 10 |
| 1980s | 2.68 births per woman | 2.52 births per woman | 2.97 births per woman | 10 |
| 1990s | 1.73 births per woman | 1.52 births per woman | 2.51 births per woman | 10 |
| 2000s | 1.63 births per woman | 1.56 births per woman | 1.71 births per woman | 10 |
| 2010s | 1.69 births per woman | 1.5 births per woman | 1.8 births per woman | 10 |
| 2020s | 1.08 births per woman | 0.999 births per woman | 1.24 births per woman | 5 |
Countries ranked near China
More population data for China
- Population growth rate, by level of development -1.7% (2100)
- Number of children under 5, by world region 15.54 million people (2100)
- Population density 67.46 people per km² (2100)
- World population growth -1.7% (2100)
- Refugees by country of asylum 303,405 people (2020)
- Fertility rate vs. unmet need for contraception 1.01 births per woman (2024)
- Total fertility rate vs. contraceptive prevalence 1.01 births per woman (2024)
- Natural population growth rate -0.2% (2023)
- Fertility rate: births per woman 0.999 live births per woman (2023)
- Fertility rate vs. GDP per capita 0.999 live births per woman (2023)
Frequently asked questions
- What is total fertility rate vs. wanted fertility rate in China?
- Total fertility rate vs. wanted fertility rate in China was 1.01 births per woman in 2024, according to United Nations Population Division, national statistical offices, and Eurostat, via World Bank (2026) – processed by Our World in Data.
- What is the highest total fertility rate vs. wanted fertility rate recorded in China?
- The highest recorded value was 7.51 births per woman in 1963.
- What is the lowest total fertility rate vs. wanted fertility rate recorded in China?
- The lowest recorded value was 0.999 births per woman in 2023.
- How does China rank for total fertility rate vs. wanted fertility rate?
- China ranks 208th out of 215 countries with data for 2024.
- Is total fertility rate vs. wanted fertility rate rising or falling in China?
- Over the last ten years it is down 42.7%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this China data come from?
- The figures come from United Nations Population Division, national statistical offices, and Eurostat, via World Bank (2026) – processed by Our World in Data, published as part of Total fertility rate vs. wanted fertility rate. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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About this data
The total fertility rate summarizes the total number of births a woman would have, if she experienced the birth rates seen in women of each age group in one particular year across her childbearing years. The wanted fertility is an estimate of what the total fertility rate would be if all unwanted births were avoided, based on survey data.