Comparing China and United States by population (2024)

China and the United States are the most and 3rd most populous country in the world, respectively. China and the United States togetheraccount for about 22.7% of the total world population. China population is 4.35 times the US population, with China home to about 1.44 billion people and the United States to 331 million in 2020. The population of China will peak in 2031, but the US will not peak until 2100. China is four times denser than the US as China's population density is 153 people per square km compared to 36 of the US.

The ratio of china to the US population has increased from 3.49 in 1950 to the highest 4.69 in 1994. This ratio is expected to decline at 2.45 in 2100, as China's population growth rate is much lower than the United States.

As of period 2015-20, China's total fertility rate is 1.69 births per woman, which is lower than the US's 1.78. China's fertility rate was almost double that of the US in 1950, but it is below since 1990.

In terms of overall life expectancy, China is catching up with the United States. The margin has been reduced to 2 years, which was 25 years in 1950. The United States came 47th globally, with 78.81 years, while China is at 72th with 76.62 years. China (38.42 years) has overtaken the United States (38.31 years) in terms of median age.

The US has a higher old population share as 16.6% of the US population has age above 65 years, compared to 12% of China. The United States has more people ages above 95 years.

  • Population
  • Growth
  • Fertility rate
  • Life expectancy
  • Median age
Population
YearPopulationGrowth (%)
ChinaUSChina/USChinaUS
1950554,419,269158,804,3973.49--
1955612,241,552171,685,3373.571.521.75
1960660,408,054186,720,5703.541.571.60
1965724,218,970199,733,6793.632.251.18
1970827,601,385209,513,3403.952.680.89
1975926,240,889219,081,2504.231.960.91
19801,000,089,228229,476,3604.361.420.94
19851,075,589,363240,499,8224.471.650.94
19901,176,883,681252,120,3094.671.60.96
19951,240,920,539265,163,7414.680.891.11
20001,290,550,767281,710,9144.580.711.14
20051,330,776,380294,993,5094.510.580.90
20101,368,810,604309,011,4694.430.560.88
20151,406,847,868320,878,3124.380.530.69
20161,414,049,353323,015,9924.380.510.67
20171,421,021,794325,084,7584.370.490.64
20181,427,647,789327,096,2634.360.470.62
20191,433,783,692329,064,9174.360.430.60
20201,439,323,774331,002,6474.350.390.59
20211,444,216,102332,915,0744.340.340.58
Life expectancy
PeriodChinaUnited States
1950-550.000.00
1955-600.000.00
1960-650.000.00
1965-700.000.00
1970-750.000.00
1975-800.000.00
1980-850.000.00
1985-900.000.00
1990-950.000.00
1995-000.000.00
2000-050.000.00
2005-100.000.00
2010-150.000.00
2015-200.000.00
Fertility rate
PeriodChinaUnited States
1950-550.000.00
1955-600.000.00
1960-650.000.00
1965-700.000.00
1970-750.000.00
1975-800.000.00
1980-850.000.00
1985-900.000.00
1990-950.000.00
1995-000.000.00
2000-050.000.00
2005-100.000.00
2010-150.000.00
2015-200.000.00
Median age
PeriodChinaUnited States
19500.000.00
19550.000.00
19600.000.00
19650.000.00
19700.000.00
19750.000.00
19800.000.00
19850.000.00
19900.000.00
19950.000.00
20000.000.00
20050.000.00
20100.000.00
20150.000.00
20200.000.00
Age Group
Age GroupPopulationShare(%) of total
ChinaUSChina/USChinaUS
00-0461,144,62218,772,0173.264.295.52
05-0988,717,07620,265,8074.386.225.96
10-1489,479,24421,055,9994.256.286.19
15-1981,860,70422,398,9463.655.746.59
20-2479,435,63422,348,8273.555.576.57
25-2986,235,32322,516,7333.836.056.62
30-34112,524,73423,845,8904.727.897.01
35-39113,828,28422,840,1954.987.986.72
40-4499,678,65122,188,8184.496.996.53
45-4998,369,82820,346,4354.836.905.98
50-54122,376,39321,220,0175.778.586.24
55-59113,952,09021,012,8885.427.996.18
60-6474,673,78021,385,6743.495.246.29
65-6976,066,75019,330,9963.935.345.69
70-7458,532,80615,293,9383.834.114.50
75-7933,572,74611,414,8672.942.353.36
80-8420,061,4907,013,9862.861.412.06
85-8910,746,1784,066,9332.640.751.20
90-943,696,1152,038,8891.810.260.60
95-99666,434534,4141.250.050.16
100+52,477104,3000.500.000.03
Total1,425,671,352339,996,5644.19100100
  • Population pyramid
  • Age group share

As a demographics expert with a deep understanding of population trends, I'll delve into the information presented in the provided article, drawing on my extensive knowledge in the field. The data primarily revolves around the populations of China and the United States, exploring various aspects such as population size, growth, density, fertility rates, life expectancy, median age, and demographic structures.

1. Population Size and Growth: China and the United States are highlighted as the most populous and 3rd most populous countries globally, respectively. In 2020, China had approximately 1.44 billion people, while the United States had a population of 331 million. Together, they accounted for about 22.7% of the world's total population. The population of China is projected to peak in 2031, while the United States is not expected to peak until 2100.

2. Population Density: China is four times denser than the United States, with a population density of 153 people per square kilometer compared to 36 in the U.S.

3. Population Ratio Trends: The ratio of China's population to the U.S. population has increased over time, from 3.49 in 1950 to a peak of 4.69 in 1994. The ratio is expected to decline to 2.45 by 2100, reflecting China's lower population growth rate compared to the United States.

4. Fertility Rates: As of the period 2015-20, China's total fertility rate is 1.69 births per woman, lower than the U.S. rate of 1.78. China's fertility rate was almost double that of the U.S. in 1950 but has been below since 1990.

5. Life Expectancy: China is catching up with the United States in terms of overall life expectancy. The gap has reduced to 2 years, with the United States ranking 47th globally with 78.81 years and China at 72nd with 76.62 years.

6. Median Age: China has surpassed the United States in median age, with China's median age at 38.42 years compared to the U.S. at 38.31 years.

7. Age Distribution: The age distribution is presented in a population pyramid, indicating the percentage share of the population in various age groups. Noteworthy points include the U.S. having a higher share of the population aged 65 and above (16.6% compared to China's 12%).

In conclusion, this comprehensive overview provides a nuanced understanding of the demographic landscape, highlighting key differences and trends between China and the United States.

Comparing China and United States by population (2024)
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