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US vs China Population
China has held the lead throughout the published window. In 1960 United States stood at roughly 27% of China’s Population; today the figure is about 24%, and the pair was closest in 1962 (28%).
| Year | United States | China | China as % of US |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1960 | 667,070,000 | 180,671,000 | 27% |
| 1970 | 818,315,000 | 205,052,000 | 25% |
| 1980 | 981,235,000 | 227,225,000 | 23% |
| 1990 | 1,135,185,000 | 249,623,000 | 22% |
| 2000 | 1,262,645,000 | 282,162,411 | 22% |
| 2010 | 1,337,705,000 | 309,378,227 | 23% |
| 2020 | 1,411,100,000 | 331,578,104 | 23% |
| 2025 | 1,406,585,000 | 341,784,857 | 24% |
Frequently asked questions
When did China pass United States in Population?
It has not come to that. China has held the larger Population in every published year (1960–2025).
How do United States and China compare today?
China is ahead: 1,406,585,000 against 341,784,857 — the trailing economy stands at about 24% 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: