New internal displacements in China
China: New internal displacements was 3.50 million in 2025. ◆ Volatile
New internal displacements in China, 2008–2025
Source: UNICEF.
Analysis
China recorded 3.50 million for new internal displacements in 2025. That is the lowest value across all 18 years on record.
That represents a change of down 10.8% on the previous year and down 2.8% over ten years.
Over the whole period, new internal displacements in China peaked at 18.66 million in 2008 and was at its lowest, 3.50 million, in 2025.
China ranks 4th of 170 countries on this measure, in the top 10%.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
New internal displacements in China, year by year
| Year | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 18.66 million | — |
| 2009 | 4.03 million | -78.4% |
| 2010 | 15.92 million | +295.0% |
| 2011 | 4.49 million | -71.8% |
| 2012 | 5.73 million | +27.6% |
| 2013 | 5.92 million | +3.4% |
| 2014 | 3.61 million | -39.0% |
| 2015 | 3.60 million | -0.3% |
| 2016 | 7.43 million | +106.4% |
| 2017 | 4.46 million | -40.0% |
| 2018 | 4.03 million | -9.6% |
| 2019 | 4.03 million | +0.0% |
| 2020 | 5.07 million | +25.8% |
| 2021 | 6.04 million | +19.0% |
| 2022 | 3.63 million | -39.8% |
| 2023 | 4.70 million | +29.5% |
| 2024 | 3.93 million | -16.5% |
| 2025 | 3.50 million | -10.8% |
China compared with similar countries
- China's 3.50 million is above the median for upper middle income countries, which is 2,895, 1209.6× the median. (51 countries reporting)
- China's 3.50 million is above the median for East Asia & Pacific, which is 3,429, 1021.2× the median. (27 countries reporting)
Biggest year-on-year movements
Years where New internal displacements in China changed far more than this series normally does. A large move can be a real event or a change in how the figure was measured — the source note below says who published it.
| Year | Change | From | To |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2010 | +295.0% | 4.03 million | 15.92 million |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000s | 11.35 million | 4.03 million | 18.66 million | 2 |
| 2010s | 5.92 million | 3.60 million | 15.92 million | 10 |
| 2020s | 4.48 million | 3.50 million | 6.04 million | 6 |
Countries ranked near China
More population data for China
- Africa's Development Dynamics (AfDD) Table 05 - Demographic estimates 1.31 million Persons (2050)
- Un population 2024 vs 2022, annual growth rate -1.19 % change on previous year (2100)
- Population long run with projections, annual growth rate -1.66 % change on previous year (2100)
- Urban and rural population 2050, annual growth rate -12.97 % change on previous year (2050)
- Population regions with projections, annual growth rate -1.66 % change on previous year (2100)
- 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)
- Projected population under age 5, annual growth rate -0.3489 % change on previous year (2100)
Frequently asked questions
- What is new internal displacements in China?
- New internal displacements in China was 3.50 million in 2025, according to UNICEF.
- What is the highest new internal displacements recorded in China?
- The highest recorded value was 18.66 million in 2008.
- What is the lowest new internal displacements recorded in China?
- The lowest recorded value was 3.50 million in 2025.
- How does China rank for new internal displacements?
- China ranks 4th out of 170 countries with data for 2025.
- Is new internal displacements rising or falling in China?
- Over the last ten years it is down 2.8%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this China data come from?
- The figures come from UNICEF, published as part of New internal displacements. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
Download this data
CSV · JSON — 18 observations, free to reuse under UNICEF Terms of Use (attribution required).