Urban and rural population in China
China: Urban and rural population was 939.48 million in 2025. ◆ Volatile
Latest (2025)
939.48 million
Change on year
up 0.5%
World rank
1st
of 236 countries
All-time high
939.48 million
in 2025
All-time low
60.81 million
in 1950
Years of data
76
1950–2025
Urban and rural population in China, 1950–2025
Source: Our World in Data.
Analysis
The most recent figure for urban and rural population in China is 939.48 million, measured in 2025. That is the highest value across all 76 years on record.
That represents a change of up 0.5% on the previous year and up 17.4% over ten years.
Over the whole period, urban and rural population in China peaked at 939.48 million in 2025 and was at its lowest, 60.81 million, in 1950.
China ranks 1st of 236 countries on this measure, in the top 10%.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
Urban and rural population in China, year by year
| Year | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1950 | 60.81 million | — |
| 1951 | 65.23 million | +7.3% |
| 1952 | 70.42 million | +8.0% |
| 1953 | 75.08 million | +6.6% |
| 1954 | 80.77 million | +7.6% |
| 1955 | 81.35 million | +0.7% |
| 1956 | 90.14 million | +10.8% |
| 1957 | 97.00 million | +7.6% |
| 1958 | 104.66 million | +7.9% |
| 1959 | 120.15 million | +14.8% |
| 1960 | 129.29 million | +7.6% |
| 1961 | 126.53 million | -2.1% |
| 1962 | 115.22 million | -8.9% |
| 1963 | 115.25 million | +0.0% |
| 1964 | 128.98 million | +11.9% |
| 1965 | 130.10 million | +0.9% |
| 1966 | 132.59 million | +1.9% |
| 1967 | 135.01 million | +1.8% |
| 1968 | 137.62 million | +1.9% |
| 1969 | 140.37 million | +2.0% |
| 1970 | 143.09 million | +1.9% |
| 1971 | 145.69 million | +1.8% |
| 1972 | 147.96 million | +1.6% |
| 1973 | 151.81 million | +2.6% |
| 1974 | 154.53 million | +1.8% |
| 1975 | 158.90 million | +2.8% |
| 1976 | 162.22 million | +2.1% |
| 1977 | 165.60 million | +2.1% |
| 1978 | 171.30 million | +3.4% |
| 1979 | 183.79 million | +7.3% |
| 1980 | 190.65 million | +3.7% |
| 1981 | 201.11 million | +5.5% |
| 1982 | 208.45 million | +3.7% |
| 1983 | 222.52 million | +6.8% |
| 1984 | 240.23 million | +8.0% |
| 1985 | 251.25 million | +4.6% |
| 1986 | 264.19 million | +5.2% |
| 1987 | 277.56 million | +5.1% |
| 1988 | 287.90 million | +3.7% |
| 1989 | 297.22 million | +3.2% |
| 1990 | 302.19 million | +1.7% |
| 1991 | 315.41 million | +4.4% |
| 1992 | 325.28 million | +3.1% |
| 1993 | 335.13 million | +3.0% |
| 1994 | 344.68 million | +2.9% |
| 1995 | 354.33 million | +2.8% |
| 1996 | 375.19 million | +5.9% |
| 1997 | 396.05 million | +5.6% |
| 1998 | 417.16 million | +5.3% |
| 1999 | 438.29 million | +5.1% |
| 2000 | 462.53 million | +5.5% |
| 2001 | 481.56 million | +4.1% |
| 2002 | 503.03 million | +4.5% |
| 2003 | 524.67 million | +4.3% |
| 2004 | 543.76 million | +3.6% |
| 2005 | 563.18 million | +3.6% |
| 2006 | 584.47 million | +3.8% |
| 2007 | 608.41 million | +4.1% |
| 2008 | 626.76 million | +3.0% |
| 2009 | 649.00 million | +3.5% |
| 2010 | 665.43 million | +2.5% |
| 2011 | 705.02 million | +5.9% |
| 2012 | 727.22 million | +3.1% |
| 2013 | 751.42 million | +3.3% |
| 2014 | 773.79 million | +3.0% |
| 2015 | 800.40 million | +3.4% |
| 2016 | 826.14 million | +3.2% |
| 2017 | 850.81 million | +3.0% |
| 2018 | 872.69 million | +2.6% |
| 2019 | 892.69 million | +2.3% |
| 2020 | 905.91 million | +1.5% |
| 2021 | 923.21 million | +1.9% |
| 2022 | 929.47 million | +0.7% |
| 2023 | 932.22 million | +0.3% |
| 2024 | 935.26 million | +0.3% |
| 2025 | 939.48 million | +0.5% |
China compared with similar countries
- China's 939.48 million is above the median for upper middle income countries, which is 4.47 million, 210.2× the median. (58 countries reporting)
- China's 939.48 million is above the median for East Asia & Pacific, which is 722,007, 1301.2× the median. (37 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1950s | 84.56 million | 60.81 million | 120.15 million | 10 |
| 1960s | 129.10 million | 115.22 million | 140.37 million | 10 |
| 1970s | 158.49 million | 143.09 million | 183.79 million | 10 |
| 1980s | 244.11 million | 190.65 million | 297.22 million | 10 |
| 1990s | 360.37 million | 302.19 million | 438.29 million | 10 |
| 2000s | 554.74 million | 462.53 million | 649.00 million | 10 |
| 2010s | 786.56 million | 665.43 million | 892.69 million | 10 |
| 2020s | 927.59 million | 905.91 million | 939.48 million | 6 |
Countries ranked near China
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 urban and rural population in China?
- Urban and rural population in China was 939.48 million in 2025, according to Our World in Data.
- What is the highest urban and rural population recorded in China?
- The highest recorded value was 939.48 million in 2025.
- What is the lowest urban and rural population recorded in China?
- The lowest recorded value was 60.81 million in 1950.
- How does China rank for urban and rural population?
- China ranks 1st out of 236 countries with data for 2025.
- Is urban and rural population rising or falling in China?
- Over the last ten years it is up 17.4%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this China data come from?
- The figures come from Our World in Data, published as part of Urban and rural population. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
Download this data
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