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China vs Japan Population
China has held the lead throughout the published window. In 1960 Japan stood at roughly 14% of China’s Population; today the figure is about 9%, and the pair was closest in 1962 (14%).
| Year | China | Japan | Japan as % of China |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1960 | 667,070,000 | 93,216,000 | 14% |
| 1970 | 818,315,000 | 103,403,000 | 13% |
| 1980 | 981,235,000 | 116,807,000 | 12% |
| 1990 | 1,135,185,000 | 123,478,000 | 11% |
| 2000 | 1,262,645,000 | 126,843,000 | 10% |
| 2010 | 1,337,705,000 | 128,070,000 | 10% |
| 2020 | 1,411,100,000 | 126,261,000 | 9% |
| 2025 | 1,406,585,000 | 123,366,734 | 9% |
Frequently asked questions
When did China pass Japan in Population?
It has not come to that. China has held the larger Population in every published year (1960–2025).
How do China and Japan compare today?
China is ahead: 1,406,585,000 against 123,366,734 — the trailing economy stands at about 9% of the leader.
Are these Population figures nominal or adjusted?
They are exactly as the World Bank publishes them — people — with no inflation restatement, no PPP conversion and no interpolation for missing years.
Full series
Every published year for both economies, with charts, downloads and citations: