China vs Brazil: Population Comparison 2025
Compare China and Brazil population pyramids. Demographic analysis of major BRICS partners including aging China vs young Brazil, economic development patterns, and population structure contrasts.
China
Brazil
Population Pyramids Comparison
Total Population
China
1416.1M
Brazil
212.8M
Youth (0-14)
China
15.4%
Brazil
19.4%
Elderly (65+)
China
14.9%
Brazil
11.5%
Demographic Analysis: China vs Brazil
In 2025, China has a population of 1.42B, while Brazil has 213M. This represents a difference of 1.20B, with China having 6.7 times the population of the other. China ranks #2 globally by population size, while Brazil ranks #7.
The median age reveals significant demographic differences: China has a median age of 41.1 years, compared to 35.8 years in Brazil. This 5.3-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 Brazil it is 44.6%, 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 Brazil has 96.77. 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 | Brazil | Difference / Ratio |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population Metrics | |||
| Total Population (2025) | 1.42B | 213M | 6.7x larger |
| World Population Ranking | #2 | #7 | 5 places apart |
| Population Growth Rate (5-year) | -0.14% | +0.39% | 0.54pp difference |
| Projected Growth (2025-2050) | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00pp difference |
| Age Structure | |||
| Median Age | 41.1 years | 35.8 years | 5.3 years older |
| Youth (0-14) Population | 15.4% | 19.4% | 4.0pp difference |
| Working Age (15-64) Population | 69.7% | 69.1% | 0.5pp difference |
| Elderly (65+) Population | 14.9% | 11.5% | 3.4pp difference |
| Youth Bulge (15-29) | 17.4% | 21.8% | 4.5pp difference |
| Prime Workforce (25-54) | 43.3% | 44.2% | 0.9pp difference |
| Demographic Indicators | |||
| Total Dependency Ratio | 43.5% | 44.6% | 1.1pp difference |
| Child Dependency Ratio | 22.1% | 28.0% | 5.9pp difference |
| Old-Age Dependency Ratio | 21.4% | 16.6% | 4.8pp difference |
| Sex Ratio (males per 100 females) | 103.7 | 96.8 | 6.9 difference |
| Total Fertility Rate | 1.00 children/woman | 1.62 children/woman | 0.62 difference |
| Estimated Birth Rate | 6.7 per 1,000 | 12.1 per 1,000 | 5.4 difference |
| Aging Index (65+/0-14) | 96.8% | 59.2% | 37.6pp difference |
| Population Pyramid Type | stationary | stationary | Same type |
📊 Understanding the Population Difference Chart
This visualization shows where and by how much the populations differ between China and Brazil for each age group, split by gender:
Left Side (Males)
Blue = China has more males
Green = Brazil has more males
Right Side (Females)
Pink = China has more females
Orange = Brazil 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 Brazil has more males in that age group.
Notable Differences (>20% variance):
Population Difference
1203.3M
China larger
Growth Since 1950
China
+160.3%
Brazil
+298.5%
Population Ratio
1 : 0.15
China : Brazil
| Metric | China | Brazil | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Population | 1.42B | 212.8M | +565.4% |
| Median Age | 41.1 years | 35.8 years | +5.3 |
| Youth Population (0-14) | 218.2M 15.4% | 41.3M 19.4% | +428.8% |
| Working Age (15-64) | 986.8M 69.7% | 147.1M 69.1% | +570.7% |
| Elderly Population (65+) | 211.2M 14.9% | 24.4M 11.5% | +764.3% |
| Total Dependency Ratio | 43.5 per 100 | 44.6 per 100 | -1.1 |
| Youth Dependency Ratio | 22.1 per 100 | 28.0 per 100 | -5.9 |
| Old-Age Dependency Ratio | 21.4 per 100 | 16.6 per 100 | +4.8 |
| Sex Ratio | 103.7 M/100F | 96.8 M/100F | +6.9 |
| Population Structure Type | Stationary | Stationary | Same |
Total Population
China
1.42B
Brazil
212.8M
Median Age
China
41.1 years
Brazil
35.8 years
Youth Population (0-14)
China
218.2M
15.4%
Brazil
41.3M
19.4%
Working Age (15-64)
China
986.8M
69.7%
Brazil
147.1M
69.1%
Elderly Population (65+)
China
211.2M
14.9%
Brazil
24.4M
11.5%
Total Dependency Ratio
China
43.5 per 100
Brazil
44.6 per 100
Youth Dependency Ratio
China
22.1 per 100
Brazil
28.0 per 100
Old-Age Dependency Ratio
China
21.4 per 100
Brazil
16.6 per 100
Sex Ratio
China
103.7 M/100F
Brazil
96.8 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
Brazil became the world's most populous country, ending China's centuries-long reign