Population in largest city in China
China: Population in largest city was 30.48 million in 2025. ◆ Volatile
Population in largest city in China, 1960–2025
Source: World Urbanization Prospects 2018, United Nations (UN).
Analysis
In 2025, population in largest city in China stood at 30.48 million. That is the highest value across all 66 years on record.
That represents a change of up 2.1% on the previous year and up 29.8% over ten years.
Over the whole period, population in largest city in China peaked at 30.48 million in 2025 and was at its lowest, 5.51 million, in 1977.
That places China 3rd out of 153 countries with data for 2025, putting it in the top 10%.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1960s | 6.47 million | 6.13 million | 6.87 million | 10 |
| 1970s | 5.75 million | 5.51 million | 6.05 million | 10 |
| 1980s | 7.02 million | 5.93 million | 8.28 million | 10 |
| 1990s | 10.91 million | 8.61 million | 13.55 million | 10 |
| 2000s | 16.84 million | 14.25 million | 19.62 million | 10 |
| 2010s | 23.22 million | 20.31 million | 26.32 million | 10 |
| 2020s | 28.82 million | 27.06 million | 30.48 million | 6 |
Countries ranked near China
More urban development data for China
- Population in the largest city 3.3% (2025)
- Population density 150.26 people per sq. km of land area (2023)
- PM2.5 air pollution, mean annual exposure 31.99 micrograms per cubic meter (2023)
- Population in urban agglomerations of more than 1 million 460.16 million (2025)
- PM2.5 air pollution, population exposed to levels exceeding WHO guidel 100.0% (2017)
Frequently asked questions
- What is population in largest city in China?
- Population in largest city in China was 30.48 million in 2025, according to World Urbanization Prospects 2018, United Nations (UN).
- What is the highest population in largest city recorded in China?
- The highest recorded value was 30.48 million in 2025.
- What is the lowest population in largest city recorded in China?
- The lowest recorded value was 5.51 million in 1977.
- How does China rank for population in largest city?
- China ranks 3rd out of 153 countries with data for 2025.
- Is population in largest city rising or falling in China?
- Over the last ten years it is up 29.8%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this China data come from?
- The figures come from World Urbanization Prospects 2018, United Nations (UN), published as part of Population in largest city. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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CSV · JSON — 66 observations, free to reuse under CC BY 4.0 (World Bank Open Data).
About this data
Population in largest city is the urban population living in the country's largest metropolitan area.