Urban Population: China
China's urban population is currently 65.9% as of 2024. # China Urban Population China's urban population reached 65.
Current (2024)
65.9%
+0.6% y/y
Peak (2024)
65.9%
Low (1963)
16.8%
Source
World Bank World Development Indicators
1960–2024 · 65 pts
Urban Population — China
1960 — 2024
Urban Population — China
Analysis# China Urban Population
China's urban population reached 65.895% in 2024, marking an all-time peak. This represents a dramatic transformation from 1963, when only 16.836% of the population lived in urban areas. Since 1960, China has experienced a 233.7% increase in urbanization—one of the most rapid demographic shifts in modern history.
The acceleration intensified after 2015, when urban population stood at 57.33%. Annual growth averaged roughly 1-1.5 percentage points through 2024, with the rate slightly moderating in recent years (0.365 percentage points from 2023 to 2024). The consistent upward trajectory suggests China's urbanization has largely stabilized near saturation, with further growth likely to decelerate as the population approaches maximum urban concentration.
Historical Data
65 Rows| Year | Value | Change % |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 65.9% | +0.56% |
| 2023 | 65.5% | +0.48% |
| 2022 | 65.2% | +0.77% |
| 2021 | 64.7% | +1.89% |
| 2020 | 63.5% | +1.30% |
| 2019 | 62.7% | +1.97% |
| 2018 | 61.5% | +2.09% |
| 2017 | 60.2% | +2.38% |
| 2016 | 58.8% | +2.63% |
| 2015 | 57.3% | +2.83% |
| 2014 | 55.8% | +2.31% |
| 2013 | 54.5% | +2.62% |
| 2012 | 53.1% | +2.45% |
| 2011 | 51.8% | +5.27% |
| 2010 | 49.2% | +1.85% |
| 2009 | 48.3% | +2.88% |
| 2008 | 47.0% | +2.40% |
| 2007 | 45.9% | +3.49% |
| 2006 | 44.3% | +3.15% |
| 2005 | 43.0% | +2.95% |
Show all 65 rows
| Year | Value | Change % |
|---|---|---|
| 2004 | 41.8% | +3.03% |
| 2003 | 40.5% | +3.68% |
| 2002 | 39.1% | +3.80% |
| 2001 | 37.7% | +3.37% |
| 2000 | 36.4% | +4.75% |
| 1999 | 34.8% | +4.29% |
| 1998 | 33.4% | +4.51% |
| 1997 | 31.9% | +4.69% |
| 1996 | 30.5% | +4.96% |
| 1995 | 29.0% | +1.86% |
| 1994 | 28.5% | +1.86% |
| 1993 | 28.0% | +1.93% |
| 1992 | 27.5% | +1.93% |
| 1991 | 26.9% | +2.84% |
| 1990 | 26.2% | -0.05% |
| 1989 | 26.2% | +1.53% |
| 1988 | 25.8% | +1.96% |
| 1987 | 25.3% | +3.24% |
| 1986 | 24.5% | +3.45% |
| 1985 | 23.7% | +3.01% |
| 1984 | 23.0% | +6.43% |
| 1983 | 21.6% | +5.14% |
| 1982 | 20.6% | +2.03% |
| 1981 | 20.2% | +3.95% |
| 1980 | 19.4% | +2.27% |
| 1979 | 19.0% | +5.84% |
| 1978 | 17.9% | +2.07% |
| 1977 | 17.6% | +0.65% |
| 1976 | 17.4% | +0.53% |
| 1975 | 17.3% | +1.05% |
| 1974 | 17.2% | -0.22% |
| 1973 | 17.2% | +0.40% |
| 1972 | 17.1% | -0.75% |
| 1971 | 17.3% | -0.68% |
| 1970 | 17.4% | -0.68% |
| 1969 | 17.5% | -0.69% |
| 1968 | 17.6% | -0.68% |
| 1967 | 17.7% | -0.67% |
| 1966 | 17.9% | -0.69% |
| 1965 | 18.0% | -1.73% |
| 1964 | 18.3% | +8.70% |
| 1963 | 16.8% | -2.82% |
| 1962 | 17.3% | -10.21% |
| 1961 | 19.3% | -2.29% |
| 1960 | 19.7% | — |
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