Population Pyramids of the World from 1950 to 2100

China Population Pyramid 1972

China
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1972
Population: 863,677,814

Year

-5 -1   1972  +1 +5

Country

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W Y Z
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Summary

China in 1972

In 1972, China had a total population of 863,677,814 people. A decade earlier, in 1962, the population was 665,073,690; it has grown by 29.9% since.

With a median age of 19.3 years, China had a youth dependency ratio of 72.4 and an old-age dependency ratio of 6.8 per 100 people of working age. The pyramid is expansive: its wide base of young cohorts reflects high fertility and a rapidly growing population.

Ranks #1 of 201 by population Ranks #83 of 201 by median age Ranks #78 of 201 by growth

Share of the population by age group, 1950–2100

Data source: United Nations World Population Prospects, 2024 revision (medium variant) — last updated July 2024.

Key indicators for China
Population
863,677,814
Median age
19.3
0-14 %
40.4%
65+ %
3.8%
Child dependency
72.4
Old-age dependency
6.8
Region
ASIA
Pyramid shape
Expansive
Population 2050
1,260,289,094
Population 2100
633,368,113
What is driving the change
Births per woman
Total fertility rate, 1960–2023
12345678
1960Replacement level (2.1)2023 · 1.0

The fertility rate of China was 1.00 births per woman in 2023, under the 2.1 needed to replace each generation.

Source: World Bank World Development Indicators, latest available year.

Life expectancy at birth
Years, 1960–2023
Total Women Men
2030405060708090
19602023 · 78.0

A child born there in 2023 could expect to live 78.0 years on average (80.9 years for girls, 75.2 for boys).

Source: World Bank World Development Indicators, latest available year.

People supported per 100 workers
Dependency ratios, 1950–2100
Children Older adults
285582110
19502100
Migration to and from China
Where immigrants come from (2024)

1,565,013 immigrants live in China, 0.1% of the population.

China, Hong Kong SAR421,605
Myanmar367,052
Taiwan170,422
Viet Nam88,254
Republic of Korea65,073
Where emigrants live (2024)

11,696,846 people born in China live in other countries.

China, Hong Kong SAR2,490,414
United States of America2,488,775
Japan809,893
Canada771,973
Republic of Korea756,684
Explore
Immigration statistics Origin of migrant stocks map

Source: United Nations International Migrant Stock 2024.

How China compares with its neighbours
Country Population Median age Relative size
China 863,677,814 19.3
Japan 109,238,955 29.9
Republic of Korea 33,936,466 19.1
Dem. People's Republic of Korea 15,975,069 20.9
Taiwan 15,450,612 19.4
Frequently asked questions about China's population
How many people lived in China in 1972?
In 1972, China's population was 863,677,814.
Is China's population growing or shrinking?
Yes, growing: up 29.9% from 1962, with a projected population of 1,260,289,094 in 2050.
How old is the population of China?
China's median age is 19.3 years.
How many children and older people live in China?
3.8% of China's population is 65 or older, and 40.4% is under 15.
What type of population pyramid does China have?
China's pyramid is expansive — broad at the bottom, the signature of high birth rates and a growing population.

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