Total reserves in China
China: Total reserves was 142.8% in 2024. ◆ Volatile
Total reserves in China, 1981–2024
Source: International Debt Statistics, World Bank (WB). Measured in % of total external debt.
Analysis
The most recent figure for total reserves in China is 142.8%, measured in 2024.
The figure is up 1.3% on the previous year and down 34.9% over ten years.
Over the whole period, total reserves in China peaked at 539.7% in 2009 and was at its lowest, 31.8%, in 1993.
That places China 10th out of 111 countries with data for 2024, 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1980s | 122.5% | 51.3% | 206.3% | 9 |
| 1990s | 73.4% | 31.8% | 108.5% | 10 |
| 2000s | 293.0% | 117.7% | 539.7% | 10 |
| 2010s | 245.5% | 152.4% | 392.3% | 10 |
| 2020s | 136.9% | 125.8% | 144.3% | 5 |
Countries ranked near China
More financial sector data for China
- Domestic credit to private sector 194.3% (2024)
- Net domestic credit 353.25 trillion current LCU (2024)
- Total reserves in months of imports 11.94 (2025)
- Net foreign assets 30.27 trillion current LCU (2024)
- Domestic credit to private sector by banks 194.3% (2024)
- Official exchange rate 7.19 LCU per US$, period average (2025)
- Monetary Sector credit to private sector 194.3% (2024)
- Net migration -268,126 (2025)
- Broad money 227.7% (2024)
- Claims on central government, etc. 46.0% (2024)
Frequently asked questions
- What is total reserves in China?
- Total reserves in China was 142.8% in 2024, according to International Debt Statistics, World Bank (WB).
- What is the highest total reserves recorded in China?
- The highest recorded value was 539.7% in 2009.
- What is the lowest total reserves recorded in China?
- The lowest recorded value was 31.8% in 1993.
- How does China rank for total reserves?
- China ranks 10th out of 111 countries with data for 2024.
- Is total reserves rising or falling in China?
- Over the last ten years it is down 34.9%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this China data come from?
- The figures come from International Debt Statistics, World Bank (WB), published as part of Total reserves (% of total external debt). Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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About this data
Reserve assets are external assets, including monetary gold, that are readily available to and controlled by monetary authorities for meeting balance of payments financing needs, for intervention in exchange markets to affect the currency exchange rate, and for other related purposes (such as maintaining confidence in the currency and the economy, and serving as a basis for foreign borrowing). Reserve assets must be denominated and settled in foreign currency. This indicator is expressed as a percentage of total external debt which are all liabilities that require payment(s) of interest and/or principal by the debtor at some point(s) in the future and that are owed to non-residents by residents of an economy.