Share of population living in urban and rural areas in China
China: Share of population living in urban and rural areas was 66.3% in 2025. ◆ Volatile
Share of population living in urban and rural areas in China, 1950–2025
Source: United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs, Population Division (2025) – with minor processing by Our World in Data. Measured in %.
Analysis
China recorded 66.3% for share of population living in urban and rural areas in 2025. That is the highest value across all 76 years on record.
That represents a change of up 0.7% on the previous year and up 15.7% over ten years.
Over the whole period, share of population living in urban and rural areas in China peaked at 66.3% in 2025 and was at its lowest, 11.2%, in 1950.
China ranks 115th of 236 countries on this measure, in the middle of the range.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1950s | 14.0% | 11.2% | 18.4% | 10 |
| 1960s | 18.0% | 16.8% | 19.7% | 10 |
| 1970s | 17.5% | 17.1% | 19.0% | 10 |
| 1980s | 23.0% | 19.4% | 26.2% | 10 |
| 1990s | 29.7% | 26.2% | 34.8% | 10 |
| 2000s | 42.4% | 36.4% | 48.3% | 10 |
| 2010s | 56.5% | 49.2% | 62.7% | 10 |
| 2020s | 65.2% | 63.5% | 66.3% | 6 |
Countries ranked near China
More population data for China
- World population growth -1.7% (2100)
- Population density 67.46 people per km² (2100)
- Number of children under 5, by world region 15.54 million people (2100)
- Population growth rate, by level of development -1.7% (2100)
- Total fertility rate vs. contraceptive prevalence 1.01 births per woman (2024)
- Fertility rate vs. unmet need for contraception 1.01 births per woman (2024)
- Refugees by country of asylum 303,405 people (2020)
- Total fertility rate vs. wanted fertility rate 1.01 births per woman (2024)
- Fertility rate vs. Share of people who are religious 0.999 live births per woman (2023)
- Fertility rate accounting for survival until childbearing age 0.9859 children per women (2023)
Frequently asked questions
- What is share of population living in urban and rural areas in China?
- Share of population living in urban and rural areas in China was 66.3% in 2025, according to United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs, Population Division (2025) – with minor processing by Our World in Data.
- What is the highest share of population living in urban and rural areas recorded in China?
- The highest recorded value was 66.3% in 2025.
- What is the lowest share of population living in urban and rural areas recorded in China?
- The lowest recorded value was 11.2% in 1950.
- How does China rank for share of population living in urban and rural areas?
- China ranks 115th out of 236 countries with data for 2025.
- Is share of population living in urban and rural areas rising or falling in China?
- Over the last ten years it is up 15.7%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this China data come from?
- The figures come from United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs, Population Division (2025) – with minor processing by Our World in Data, published as part of Share of population living in urban and rural areas. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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About this data
Share of the population living in urban areas, based on each country's national definition.