Jonah Patel
The world's population is estimated to have reached 8 billion in November 2022, with projections indicating that it will reach 10 billion by 2060 and 10.2 billion by 2100. China is the most populous country in the world, with a population of over 1.4 billion people, constituting one-fifth of the global population. This vast population has significant implications for global economics and geopolitics, influencing trade relations, international politics, and cultural exchanges. China's population growth rate is relatively low, ranking 159th in the world, and it has a large population with a small youth division due to its former one-child policy, which was modified to a two-child policy in 2015.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Population | 1.4 billion |
| Percentage of world population | 18-20% |
| Global status | Most populous country in the world |
| Population growth rate | 0.59% |
| Population growth | Significant population growth over the years |
| Population composition | 91.51% Han Chinese, 8.49% minorities (2010 census) |
| Socio-economic impact | Influences global trade, culture, and interaction |
| Comparison with the US | China has over four times the population of the US |
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What You'll Learn
China constitutes one-fifth of the world's population
China's population has experienced significant growth since the early 20th century, rising from approximately 430 million in 1850 to 580 million in 1953. This increase was partly due to the encouragement of Chinese women to bear many children under Chairman Mao Zedong's regime, who believed a high population would strengthen the nation. However, just four years after Mao's death in 1976, the Chinese government instituted the one-child policy, recognising the population's uncontrolled growth.
China's population continues to be one of the world's largest, second only to India, which has a similar population of 1.4 billion. Combined, China and India account for over one-third of the world's population. The Han Chinese ethnic group is the world's largest single ethnic group, constituting over 19% of the global population as of 2011.
The population density in China is 151 people per square kilometre, with a median age of 40.1 years. There are over 160 cities in China with a population of more than one million people, and many of these cities are more populous than major US cities like Chicago. The urban population in China stands at 67.55%, with 956,553,854 people living in urban areas as of 2025.
China's vast population has far-reaching implications, impacting global demographics, economics, and cultural dynamics. The country's size and influence on the world stage are closely linked to its large population, which contributes significantly to its economic and political power.
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China's population is 1.4 billion
China's population is approximately 1.4 billion people, making it the second most populous country in the world after India. China's population has been declining for the past two years, with a decrease of 2 million people in 2023. This decline is attributed to a combination of factors, including a falling birth rate and an aging population. The number of births in China has been on a downward trend for seven years, which presents economic and societal challenges for the country. The one-child policy, instituted in 1979, played a significant role in slowing population growth. While the policy has been gradually eased since 2014, allowing for a second and then a third child, it has had little impact on encouraging births.
China's population growth has historically been influenced by various factors. During the period of 1960–2015, China's population nearly doubled from 540 million to 969 million under Mao Zedong. This growth was facilitated by policies that viewed a large population as an asset. However, in more recent years, China has faced the challenge of an aging population, with the proportion of those aged 60 and older increasing to 21%. The official retirement age in China is 60 years for men and 50 to 55 years for women, further impacting the working-age population.
The gender disparity in China is another notable aspect of its demographics. According to the 2020 census, males accounted for 51.24% of the population, while females made up 48.76%. The sex ratio at birth was 118.06 boys for every 100 girls in 2010, and this ratio has fluctuated over the years. Additionally, urbanization has been a significant trend in China, with 67% of the total population living in urban areas by the end of 2024, a significant increase from 26% in 1990.
China also has a substantial migrant worker population, with 252.78 million migrant workers in 2011, an increase of 4.4% from the previous year. It is estimated that Chinese cities will experience a significant influx of migrants in the coming years, with the urban population expected to reach nearly 1 billion by 2025. This changing demographic landscape presents challenges and opportunities for China's social and economic landscape.
In summary, China's population of approximately 1.4 billion people is facing a unique set of circumstances, including a declining birth rate, an aging population, and increasing urbanization. These factors have implications for social services, the labor force, and the overall dynamics of the country. China's demographic shifts are expected to shape its future social and economic policies.
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China's population growth is slow
The Han Chinese are the world's largest ethnic group, constituting over 19% of the global population in 2011. China's population growth rate is slow, with a rate of -0.10% and a declining birth rate. China's population growth has slowed for several reasons, including the one-child policy instituted in 1979 and a gender imbalance. In 2020, the population of China was 1,419,933,142, with 91.11% of Han Chinese and 8.89% minorities. China's population is projected to continue declining, with an anticipated loss of 204 million people between 2024 and 2054. By 2100, China's population is expected to have decreased by 786 million people, returning to levels seen in the 1950s.
China's population growth has slowed due to a combination of factors, including government policies and cultural shifts. The one-child policy, implemented in 1979, played a significant role in reducing birth rates. Additionally, there is a notable gender imbalance in China, with census data from 2000 revealing that 119 boys were born for every 100 girls. This imbalance is expected to increase until 2025–2030, reaching 20% before slowly decreasing.
China's leaders have also influenced population growth rates over time. Initially, post-1949 leaders viewed a large population as a positive asset. However, they soon changed their stance and began supporting the Ministry of Public Health's mass birth control efforts in 1956. After the Great Leap Forward, rapid population growth was seen as an obstacle to development, and birth control campaigns were revived in the early 1960s, emphasizing the benefits of late marriage. These campaigns were particularly successful in urban areas, halving the birth rate during the 1963–1966 period.
China now faces the challenge of an aging population due to increased life expectancy and declining birth rates. This demographic shift has implications for social services and the labor force. To address the declining birth rate, local government family-planning committees have shifted from enforcing the one-child policy to promoting pro-natalist policies. Cash incentives have been offered to encourage childbirth, and women are being called in to check on their menstrual cycles. Despite these efforts, the number of births reported by the National Bureau of Statistics of China in 2023 was 9.02 million, while the state-owned Mother and Infant Daily newspaper reported a lower figure of 7.88 million births for the same year.
China's population growth rate of -0.10% is significantly lower than the global fertility rate of 2.25 live births per woman as of 2024. The global fertility rate is projected to decline further to 2.1 by the late 2040s. While the world population is expected to continue growing for the next 50 to 60 years, reaching approximately 10.3 billion by the mid-2080s, it will then gradually decline to around 10.2 billion by the end of the century. Immigration is projected to be the main driver of population growth in many countries, including Australia, Canada, and the United States.
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China's population is 91.51% Han Chinese
China is the world's most populous country, with a population of over 1.4 billion people. The Han Chinese are the largest ethnic group in China, making up 91.51% of the country's population. This equates to approximately 1.2 billion Han Chinese people living in mainland China, with significant populations in Taiwan and Singapore, and minority populations in Southeast Asia and other parts of the world. The Han Chinese are also the world's largest single ethnic group, constituting over 19% of the global population as of 2011.
The Han Chinese are an East Asian ethnic group with diverse subcultures and languages. They originated in the central plains of northern China, particularly the basin of the middle and lower Yellow River. Over time, they gradually expanded southward, shaping what is known today as inner China or China proper. Han Chinese culture has exerted a profound influence on neighbouring Asian civilizations, such as Japan, Korea, and the countries of Southeast Asia.
While modern China is made up of dozens of different ethnic groups, the Han Chinese have always been the largest group, giving them huge significance in Chinese history. The name "Han" comes from the Han dynasty, which ruled much of China from 202 B.C.E. to 220 C.E. The Han dynasty consolidated power over China after a period of civil war. In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, the idea of "zhongua minzu," or "Chinese nation," was used to suggest a unity of Chinese people that transcends ethnic groups.
The Han Chinese population is often divided into subgroups, which are generally correlated with the different dialects of the Chinese language. These subgroups include speakers of Mandarin, Wu, Gan, Yue (Cantonese), Min, Hakka, and Xiang. Even within the Han Chinese group, there are stark divisions in terms of languages and dialects, cuisines, and other factors. Additionally, the Han Chinese have assimilated many initially distinct peoples, further contributing to their diversity.
The Han Chinese majority in China has had a significant impact on the country's history and culture. They have shaped the country's unity and national identity, with the term "Chinese" often being associated with the Han ethnic group. The dominance of the Han Chinese in China has also influenced the country's politics, society, and economic development. Han Chinese people are found in various regions of China, with majority populations in all provinces and most autonomous regions, except for Tibet and Xinjiang.
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China's population has geopolitical implications
The Han Chinese ethnic group constitutes one-fifth of the world's population, with over 19% of the global population in 2011. China's population, which stands at over 1.3 billion, has significant geopolitical implications.
Firstly, China's demographic changes, including low fertility rates, population ageing, and migration, will have far-reaching consequences on the geopolitical landscape, both regionally and globally. Its neighbouring countries will be particularly affected by these shifts. For instance, the distribution of Chinese immigrants has already significantly shaped the geopolitical relations of East Asian countries.
Secondly, China's economic policies and projections are based on its population figures. With a declining population, China's per-capita GDP forecasts may not align with reality. This could impact China's economic competitiveness globally and affect its relations with other major powers, such as the United States.
Thirdly, China's population ageing will likely have economic repercussions. An older population can negatively impact economic growth, as seen in countries like Japan and Italy, where ageing populations have corresponded with lower GDP growth rates.
Additionally, China's population changes may embolden other countries, such as Russia, to act more aggressively on the global stage, believing that a declining West will be less able to hold them accountable.
Finally, China's demographic shifts could also influence bilateral relations with neighbouring countries, impacting labour, economic development, and cultural conflicts.
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Frequently asked questions
China is the most populous country in the world, with around 1.4 billion people, constituting about 18-20% of the global population.
The world population is estimated to be around 8 billion as of 2022.
The world population is projected to reach 9 billion by 2037, 10 billion by 2060, and 10.2 billion by 2100.
