Population Pyramids of the World from 1950 to 2100

China Population Pyramid 1988

China
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1988
Population: 1,115,244,165

Year

-5 -1   1988  +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 1988

As of 1988, China counted 1,115,244,166 inhabitants. Over the previous ten years the population grew by 16.6%, up from 956,161,484 in 1978.

With a median age of 23.9 years, China had a youth dependency ratio of 44.7 and an old-age dependency ratio of 7.8 per 100 people of working age. The near-vertical sides of the pyramid indicate a stationary age structure, with births roughly balancing the passage of cohorts into older age.

Ranks #1 of 201 by population Ranks #76 of 201 by median age Ranks #120 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
1,115,244,166
Median age
23.9
0-14 %
29.3%
65+ %
5.1%
Child dependency
44.7
Old-age dependency
7.8
Region
ASIA
Pyramid shape
Stationary
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 1,115,244,166 23.9
Japan 122,476,953 36.8
Republic of Korea 42,922,977 25.8
Dem. People's Republic of Korea 20,503,161 25.1
Taiwan 20,223,648 26.1
Frequently asked questions about China's population
How many people lived in China in 1988?
China had a population of 1,115,244,166 in 1988.
Is China's population growing or shrinking?
Yes, growing: up 16.6% from 1978, with a projected population of 1,260,289,094 in 2050.
How old is the population of China?
The median age in China is 23.9 years — half the population is younger, half older.
How many children and older people live in China?
5.1% of China's population is 65 or older, and 29.3% is under 15.
What shape is China's population pyramid, and what does it mean?
China's pyramid is stationary — similar-sized cohorts through the younger ages, the signature of near-replacement fertility.

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