China—Population
China's population was 1.41B in 2024, ranking #2 out of 217 countries. This represents a -0.1% change from 2023. Over the past 25 years, the highest recorded value was 1.41B (2021) and the lowest was 1.26B (2000). Data sourced from the World Bank World Development Indicators.
Historical Data
| Year | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 1.41B | -0.1% |
| 2023 | 1.41B | -0.1% |
| 2022 | 1.41B | -0.0% |
| 2021 | 1.41B | +0.1% |
| 2020 | 1.41B | +0.2% |
| 2019 | 1.41B | +0.4% |
| 2018 | 1.40B | +0.5% |
| 2017 | 1.40B | +0.6% |
| 2016 | 1.39B | +0.6% |
| 2015 | 1.38B | +0.6% |
| 2014 | 1.37B | +0.6% |
| 2013 | 1.36B | +0.7% |
| 2012 | 1.35B | +0.7% |
| 2011 | 1.35B | +0.5% |
| 2010 | 1.34B | +0.5% |
| 2009 | 1.33B | +0.5% |
| 2008 | 1.32B | +0.5% |
| 2007 | 1.32B | +0.5% |
| 2006 | 1.31B | +0.6% |
| 2005 | 1.30B | +0.6% |
| 2004 | 1.30B | +0.6% |
| 2003 | 1.29B | +0.6% |
| 2002 | 1.28B | +0.7% |
| 2001 | 1.27B | +0.7% |
| 2000 | 1.26B |
Top Countries — Population
| # | Country | Value | Year |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | India | 1.46B | 2025 |
| 2 | China | 1.41B | 2025 |
| 3 | United States | 341.8M | 2025 |
| 4 | Indonesia | 285.7M | 2025 |
| 5 | Pakistan | 255.2M | 2025 |
| 6 | Nigeria | 237.5M | 2025 |
| 7 | Brazil | 212.8M | 2025 |
| 8 | Bangladesh | 175.7M | 2025 |
| 9 | Russian Federation | 143.5M | 2025 |
| 10 | Ethiopia | 135.5M | 2025 |
About This Indicator
Definition
Total population is based on the de facto definition, which counts all residents regardless of legal status or citizenship. It includes all people living in a country, including foreign nationals, but excludes citizens living abroad.
Methodology
Population data comes from national population censuses (typically conducted every 10 years) and inter-censal estimates produced by national statistical offices. The World Bank aggregates data from the United Nations Population Division, which harmonizes national data using demographic methods (cohort-component projection models). Estimates account for undercounting in censuses.
Unit
Persons