Home / Comparisons / China vs UK Population
China vs UK Population
China has held the lead throughout the published window. In 1960 United Kingdom stood at roughly 8% of China’s Population; today the figure is about 5%, and the pair was closest in 1962 (8%).
| Year | China | United Kingdom | UK as % of China |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1960 | 667,070,000 | 52,400,000 | 8% |
| 1970 | 818,315,000 | 55,663,250 | 7% |
| 1980 | 981,235,000 | 56,314,216 | 6% |
| 1990 | 1,135,185,000 | 57,247,586 | 5% |
| 2000 | 1,262,645,000 | 58,892,514 | 5% |
| 2010 | 1,337,705,000 | 62,766,365 | 5% |
| 2020 | 1,411,100,000 | 66,740,000 | 5% |
| 2025 | 1,406,585,000 | 69,487,000 | 5% |
Frequently asked questions
When did China pass United Kingdom in Population?
It has not come to that. China has held the larger Population in every published year (1960–2025).
How do China and United Kingdom compare today?
China is ahead: 1,406,585,000 against 69,487,000 — the trailing economy stands at about 5% 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: