Replacement-level fertility rate in China
China: Replacement-level fertility rate was 2.21 in 2010. ▼ Falling
Replacement-level fertility rate in China, 1950–2010
Source: Gietel-Basten and Scherbov (2020) – processed by Our World in Data.
Analysis
China recorded 2.21 for replacement-level fertility rate in 2010. That is the lowest value across all 7 years on record.
That represents a change of down 1.8% over ten years.
Over the whole period, replacement-level fertility rate in China peaked at 3.03 in 1950 and was at its lowest, 2.21, in 2010.
China ranks 59th of 199 countries on this measure, in the middle of the range.
Replacement-level fertility rate in China, year by year
| Year | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1950 | 3.03 | — |
| 1960 | 3.01 | -0.7% |
| 1970 | 2.38 | -20.9% |
| 1980 | 2.23 | -6.3% |
| 1990 | 2.26 | +1.3% |
| 2000 | 2.25 | -0.4% |
| 2010 | 2.21 | -1.8% |
China compared with similar countries
- China's 2.21 is above the median for upper middle income countries, which is 2.12, 1.0× the median. (55 countries reporting)
- China's 2.21 is above the median for East Asia & Pacific, which is 2.13, 1.0× the median. (31 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1950s | 3.03 | 3.03 | 3.03 | 1 |
| 1960s | 3.01 | 3.01 | 3.01 | 1 |
| 1970s | 2.38 | 2.38 | 2.38 | 1 |
| 1980s | 2.23 | 2.23 | 2.23 | 1 |
| 1990s | 2.26 | 2.26 | 2.26 | 1 |
| 2000s | 2.25 | 2.25 | 2.25 | 1 |
| 2010s | 2.21 | 2.21 | 2.21 | 1 |
Countries ranked near China
More population data for China
- 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)
- Africa's Development Dynamics (AfDD) Table 03 - Annual population -0.1671 Percent per annum (2030)
Frequently asked questions
- What is replacement-level fertility rate in China?
- Replacement-level fertility rate in China was 2.21 in 2010, according to Gietel-Basten and Scherbov (2020) – processed by Our World in Data.
- What is the highest replacement-level fertility rate recorded in China?
- The highest recorded value was 3.03 in 1950.
- What is the lowest replacement-level fertility rate recorded in China?
- The lowest recorded value was 2.21 in 2010.
- How does China rank for replacement-level fertility rate?
- China ranks 59th out of 199 countries with data for 2010.
- Is replacement-level fertility rate rising or falling in China?
- Over the last ten years it is down 1.8%. The long-run trend across the full record is falling.
- Where does this China data come from?
- The figures come from Gietel-Basten and Scherbov (2020) – processed by Our World in Data, published as part of Replacement-level fertility rate. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
Download this data
CSV · JSON — 7 observations, free to reuse under CC BY 4.0 (Our World in Data).
About this data
The replacement-level fertility rate (the total fertility rate needed to keep the population size stable over time, without migration) is commonly stated to be 2.1. But the level can vary based on the sex ratio, child mortality rates, and other factors.