China vs Australia: Population Comparison 2025
Resource demographics. Australia's immigration success vs China's internal migration.
China
Australia
Population Pyramids Comparison
Total Population
China
1416.1M
Australia
27.0M
Youth (0-14)
China
15.4%
Australia
17.7%
Elderly (65+)
China
14.9%
Australia
18.1%
Demographic Analysis: China vs Australia
In 2025, China has a population of 1.42B, while Australia has 27M. This represents a difference of 1.39B, with China having 52.5 times the population of the other. China ranks #2 globally by population size, while Australia ranks #55.
The median age reveals significant demographic differences: China has a median age of 41.1 years, compared to 39.3 years in Australia. This 1.8-year difference indicates that China has a significantly older population, with important implications for workforce dynamics, healthcare needs, and economic development. The dependency ratio in China is 43.5%, while in Australia it is 55.7%, showing the relative burden of non-working age populations on the workforce.
Gender balance differs between the two countries: China has a sex ratio of 103.69 males per female, while Australia has 98.50. China shows a higher proportion of males, which can affect marriage markets, labor force composition, and social dynamics. These ratios reflect various factors including sex-selective practices, differential mortality rates, and migration patterns.
Comprehensive Demographic Comparison 2025
| Indicator | China | Australia | Difference / Ratio |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population Metrics | |||
| Total Population (2025) | 1.42B | 27M | 52.5x larger |
| World Population Ranking | #2 | #55 | 53 places apart |
| Population Growth Rate (5-year) | -0.14% | +0.94% | 1.08pp difference |
| Projected Growth (2025-2050) | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00pp difference |
| Age Structure | |||
| Median Age | 41.1 years | 39.3 years | 1.8 years older |
| Youth (0-14) Population | 15.4% | 17.7% | 2.3pp difference |
| Working Age (15-64) Population | 69.7% | 64.2% | 5.5pp difference |
| Elderly (65+) Population | 14.9% | 18.1% | 3.2pp difference |
| Youth Bulge (15-29) | 17.4% | 18.9% | 1.5pp difference |
| Prime Workforce (25-54) | 43.3% | 40.5% | 2.7pp difference |
| Demographic Indicators | |||
| Total Dependency Ratio | 43.5% | 55.7% | 12.2pp difference |
| Child Dependency Ratio | 22.1% | 27.5% | 5.4pp difference |
| Old-Age Dependency Ratio | 21.4% | 28.2% | 6.8pp difference |
| Sex Ratio (males per 100 females) | 103.7 | 98.5 | 5.2 difference |
| Total Fertility Rate | 1.00 children/woman | 1.50 children/woman | 0.50 difference |
| Estimated Birth Rate | 6.7 per 1,000 | 11.5 per 1,000 | 4.8 difference |
| Aging Index (65+/0-14) | 96.8% | 102.3% | 5.6pp difference |
| Population Pyramid Type | stationary | constrictive | Different types |
📊 Understanding the Population Difference Chart
This visualization shows where and by how much the populations differ between China and Australia for each age group, split by gender:
Left Side (Males)
Blue = China has more males
Green = Australia has more males
Right Side (Females)
Pink = China has more females
Orange = Australia has more females
💡 How to Read: Each age group shows up to 2 bars - one on the left (male difference) and one on the right (female difference). The bar's color tells you which country has more people, and the bar's length shows by how much. For example, if you see a green bar on the left, it means Australia has more males in that age group.
Notable Differences (>20% variance):
Population Difference
1389.1M
China larger
Growth Since 1950
China
+160.3%
Australia
+229.9%
Population Ratio
1 : 0.02
China : Australia
| Metric | China | Australia | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Population | 1.42B | 27.0M | +5149.8% |
| Median Age | 41.1 years | 39.3 years | +1.8 |
| Youth Population (0-14) | 218.2M 15.4% | 4.8M 17.7% | +4475.1% |
| Working Age (15-64) | 986.8M 69.7% | 17.3M 64.2% | +5595.6% |
| Elderly Population (65+) | 211.2M 14.9% | 4.9M 18.1% | +4226.7% |
| Total Dependency Ratio | 43.5 per 100 | 55.7 per 100 | -12.2 |
| Youth Dependency Ratio | 22.1 per 100 | 27.5 per 100 | -5.4 |
| Old-Age Dependency Ratio | 21.4 per 100 | 28.2 per 100 | -6.8 |
| Sex Ratio | 103.7 M/100F | 98.5 M/100F | +5.2 |
| Population Structure Type | Stationary | Constrictive | Different |
Total Population
China
1.42B
Australia
27.0M
Median Age
China
41.1 years
Australia
39.3 years
Youth Population (0-14)
China
218.2M
15.4%
Australia
4.8M
17.7%
Working Age (15-64)
China
986.8M
69.7%
Australia
17.3M
64.2%
Elderly Population (65+)
China
211.2M
14.9%
Australia
4.9M
18.1%
Total Dependency Ratio
China
43.5 per 100
Australia
55.7 per 100
Youth Dependency Ratio
China
22.1 per 100
Australia
27.5 per 100
Old-Age Dependency Ratio
China
21.4 per 100
Australia
28.2 per 100
Sex Ratio
China
103.7 M/100F
Australia
98.5 M/100F
Note: Dependency ratios represent the number of dependents (youth + elderly) per 100 working-age individuals. Higher ratios indicate greater economic burden on the working population.
Note: The replacement fertility rate of 2.1 is the level at which a population exactly replaces itself from one generation to the next.Both countries are experiencing demographic transitions as they develop economically. Countries below 2.1 face potential population decline without immigration, while those above 2.1 continue growing naturally.
Historic Milestone: 2023
Australia became the world's most populous country, ending China's centuries-long reign