Total population (thousands), annual growth rate in China
China: Total population (thousands), annual growth rate was -0.2238 % change on previous year in 2025. ◆ Volatile
Total population (thousands), annual growth rate in China, 1971–2025
Source: Statizoid (derived). Measured in % change on previous year.
Analysis
In 2025, total population (thousands), annual growth rate in China stood at -0.2238 % change on previous year.
Compared with earlier readings it is up 4.9% on the previous year and down 134.3% over ten years.
Over the whole period, total population (thousands), annual growth rate in China peaked at 2.65 % change on previous year in 1971 and was at its lowest, -0.2352 % change on previous year, in 2024.
That places China 190th out of 233 countries with data for 2025, putting it in the bottom quarter.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
Total population (thousands), annual growth rate in China, year by year
| Year | % change on previous year | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1971 | 2.65 % change on previous year | — |
| 1972 | 2.4 % change on previous year | -9.4% |
| 1973 | 2.25 % change on previous year | -6.2% |
| 1974 | 2.13 % change on previous year | -5.4% |
| 1975 | 1.89 % change on previous year | -11.1% |
| 1976 | 1.62 % change on previous year | -14.3% |
| 1977 | 1.49 % change on previous year | -8.1% |
| 1978 | 1.34 % change on previous year | -10.0% |
| 1979 | 1.33 % change on previous year | -0.8% |
| 1980 | 1.41 % change on previous year | +6.1% |
| 1981 | 1.45 % change on previous year | +2.5% |
| 1982 | 1.51 % change on previous year | +4.3% |
| 1983 | 1.67 % change on previous year | +10.4% |
| 1984 | 1.39 % change on previous year | -16.8% |
| 1985 | 1.48 % change on previous year | +6.9% |
| 1986 | 1.57 % change on previous year | +5.9% |
| 1987 | 1.72 % change on previous year | +9.1% |
| 1988 | 1.81 % change on previous year | +5.5% |
| 1989 | 1.66 % change on previous year | -8.0% |
| 1990 | 1.7 % change on previous year | +2.0% |
| 1991 | 1.76 % change on previous year | +3.5% |
| 1992 | 1.23 % change on previous year | -30.0% |
| 1993 | 1.12 % change on previous year | -8.6% |
| 1994 | 1.03 % change on previous year | -8.8% |
| 1995 | 0.9282 % change on previous year | -9.5% |
| 1996 | 0.9131 % change on previous year | -1.6% |
| 1997 | 0.8591 % change on previous year | -5.9% |
| 1998 | 0.7976 % change on previous year | -7.2% |
| 1999 | 0.7672 % change on previous year | -3.8% |
| 2000 | 0.7247 % change on previous year | -5.5% |
| 2001 | 0.7678 % change on previous year | +5.9% |
| 2002 | 0.6725 % change on previous year | -12.4% |
| 2003 | 0.6009 % change on previous year | -10.6% |
| 2004 | 0.5888 % change on previous year | -2.0% |
| 2005 | 0.5823 % change on previous year | -1.1% |
| 2006 | 0.6348 % change on previous year | +9.0% |
| 2007 | 0.5912 % change on previous year | -6.9% |
| 2008 | 0.5863 % change on previous year | -0.8% |
| 2009 | 0.6212 % change on previous year | +6.0% |
| 2010 | 0.6831 % change on previous year | +10.0% |
| 2011 | 0.6637 % change on previous year | -2.9% |
| 2012 | 0.6224 % change on previous year | -6.2% |
| 2013 | 0.7402 % change on previous year | +18.9% |
| 2014 | 0.6453 % change on previous year | -12.8% |
| 2015 | 0.652 % change on previous year | +1.0% |
| 2016 | 0.5278 % change on previous year | -19.0% |
| 2017 | 0.6065 % change on previous year | +14.9% |
| 2018 | 0.5759 % change on previous year | -5.1% |
| 2019 | 0.3664 % change on previous year | -36.4% |
| 2020 | 0.2701 % change on previous year | -26.3% |
| 2021 | 0.094 % change on previous year | -65.2% |
| 2022 | -0.0477 % change on previous year | -150.7% |
| 2023 | -0.129 % change on previous year | +170.7% |
| 2024 | -0.2352 % change on previous year | +82.3% |
| 2025 | -0.2238 % change on previous year | -4.9% |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1970s | 1.9 % change on previous year | 1.33 % change on previous year | 2.65 % change on previous year | 9 |
| 1980s | 1.57 % change on previous year | 1.39 % change on previous year | 1.81 % change on previous year | 10 |
| 1990s | 1.11 % change on previous year | 0.7672 % change on previous year | 1.76 % change on previous year | 10 |
| 2000s | 0.6371 % change on previous year | 0.5823 % change on previous year | 0.7678 % change on previous year | 10 |
| 2010s | 0.6083 % change on previous year | 0.3664 % change on previous year | 0.7402 % change on previous year | 10 |
| 2020s | -0.0453 % change on previous year | -0.2352 % change on previous year | 0.2701 % change on previous year | 6 |
Countries ranked near China
- 187 Nepal -0.154 % change on previous year compare
- 188 San Marino -0.1547 % change on previous year compare
- 189 Greenland -0.1557 % change on previous year compare
- 191 Mauritius -0.2301 % change on previous year compare
- 192 Hungary -0.2804 % change on previous year compare
- 193 Montenegro -0.2992 % change on previous year compare
More population data for China
- Population regions 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 long run with projections, annual growth rate -1.66 % change on previous year (2100)
- Un population 2024 vs 2022, annual growth rate -1.19 % change on previous year (2100)
- Africa's Development Dynamics (AfDD) Table 05 - Demographic estimates 1.31 million Persons (2050)
- Africa's Development Dynamics (AfDD) Table 03 - Annual population -0.1671 Percent per annum (2030)
- Projected population under age 5, annual growth rate -0.3489 % change on previous year (2100)
- Population growth rate -1.68 (2100)
- Population density 67.46 (2100)
- Projected population under age 5 15.54 million (2100)
Frequently asked questions
- What is total population (thousands), annual growth rate in China?
- Total population (thousands), annual growth rate in China was -0.2238 % change on previous year in 2025, according to Statizoid (derived).
- What is the highest total population (thousands), annual growth rate recorded in China?
- The highest recorded value was 2.65 % change on previous year in 1971.
- What is the lowest total population (thousands), annual growth rate recorded in China?
- The lowest recorded value was -0.2352 % change on previous year in 2024.
- How does China rank for total population (thousands), annual growth rate?
- China ranks 190th out of 233 countries with data for 2025.
- Is total population (thousands), annual growth rate rising or falling in China?
- Over the last ten years it is down 134.3%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this China data come from?
- The figures come from Statizoid (derived), published as part of Total population (thousands), annual growth rate. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
Download this data
CSV · JSON — 55 observations, free to reuse under Derived by Statizoid from the sources named on the page.
How this figure is calculated
The year-on-year percentage change in Total population (thousands). Computed from consecutive annual observations; years either side of a gap are skipped rather than bridged.
Computed from
- Total population UNESCO Institute for Statistics
Statizoid computes this series; the underlying measurements belong to the publishers named above. The arithmetic is applied to every country and year where both inputs report, and nothing is estimated unless the page says so.
About this data
The year-on-year percentage change in Total population (thousands). Computed from consecutive annual observations; years either side of a gap are skipped rather than bridged.