China vs Saudi Arabia: Population Comparison 2025
Energy partnership demographics. Saudi's young nationals vs China's shrinking workforce.
China
Saudi Arabia
Population Pyramids Comparison
Total Population
China
1416.1M
Saudi Arabia
34.6M
Youth (0-14)
China
15.4%
Saudi Arabia
23.6%
Elderly (65+)
China
14.9%
Saudi Arabia
3.1%
Demographic Analysis: China vs Saudi Arabia
In 2025, China has a population of 1.42B, while Saudi Arabia has 35M. This represents a difference of 1.38B, with China having 41.0 times the population of the other. China ranks #2 globally by population size, while Saudi Arabia ranks #48.
The median age reveals significant demographic differences: China has a median age of 41.1 years, compared to 30.6 years in Saudi Arabia. This 10.5-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 Saudi Arabia it is 36.4%, 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 Saudi Arabia has 152.69. Saudi Arabia 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 | Saudi Arabia | Difference / Ratio |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population Metrics | |||
| Total Population (2025) | 1.42B | 35M | 41.0x larger |
| World Population Ranking | #2 | #48 | 46 places apart |
| Population Growth Rate (5-year) | -0.14% | +2.21% | 2.35pp difference |
| Projected Growth (2025-2050) | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00pp difference |
| Age Structure | |||
| Median Age | 41.1 years | 30.6 years | 10.5 years older |
| Youth (0-14) Population | 15.4% | 23.6% | 8.2pp difference |
| Working Age (15-64) Population | 69.7% | 73.3% | 3.6pp difference |
| Elderly (65+) Population | 14.9% | 3.1% | 11.9pp difference |
| Youth Bulge (15-29) | 17.4% | 25.0% | 7.6pp difference |
| Prime Workforce (25-54) | 43.3% | 52.7% | 9.4pp difference |
| Demographic Indicators | |||
| Total Dependency Ratio | 43.5% | 36.4% | 7.1pp difference |
| Child Dependency Ratio | 22.1% | 32.2% | 10.1pp difference |
| Old-Age Dependency Ratio | 21.4% | 4.2% | 17.2pp difference |
| Sex Ratio (males per 100 females) | 103.7 | 152.7 | 49.0 difference |
| Total Fertility Rate | 1.00 children/woman | 2.28 children/woman | 1.28 difference |
| Estimated Birth Rate | 6.7 per 1,000 | 15.7 per 1,000 | 9.0 difference |
| Aging Index (65+/0-14) | 96.8% | 12.9% | 83.8pp 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 Saudi Arabia for each age group, split by gender:
Left Side (Males)
Blue = China has more males
Green = Saudi Arabia has more males
Right Side (Females)
Pink = China has more females
Orange = Saudi Arabia 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 Saudi Arabia has more males in that age group.
Notable Differences (>20% variance):
Population Difference
1381.5M
China larger
Growth Since 1950
China
+160.3%
Saudi Arabia
+1929.4%
Population Ratio
1 : 0.02
China : Saudi Arabia
| Metric | China | Saudi Arabia | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Population | 1.42B | 34.6M | +3996.7% |
| Median Age | 41.1 years | 30.6 years | +10.5 |
| Youth Population (0-14) | 218.2M 15.4% | 8.2M 23.6% | +2572.2% |
| Working Age (15-64) | 986.8M 69.7% | 25.3M 73.3% | +3793.3% |
| Elderly Population (65+) | 211.2M 14.9% | 1.1M 3.1% | +19884.5% |
| Total Dependency Ratio | 43.5 per 100 | 36.4 per 100 | +7.1 |
| Youth Dependency Ratio | 22.1 per 100 | 32.2 per 100 | -10.1 |
| Old-Age Dependency Ratio | 21.4 per 100 | 4.2 per 100 | +17.2 |
| Sex Ratio | 103.7 M/100F | 152.7 M/100F | -49.0 |
| Population Structure Type | Stationary | Stationary | Same |
Total Population
China
1.42B
Saudi Arabia
34.6M
Median Age
China
41.1 years
Saudi Arabia
30.6 years
Youth Population (0-14)
China
218.2M
15.4%
Saudi Arabia
8.2M
23.6%
Working Age (15-64)
China
986.8M
69.7%
Saudi Arabia
25.3M
73.3%
Elderly Population (65+)
China
211.2M
14.9%
Saudi Arabia
1.1M
3.1%
Total Dependency Ratio
China
43.5 per 100
Saudi Arabia
36.4 per 100
Youth Dependency Ratio
China
22.1 per 100
Saudi Arabia
32.2 per 100
Old-Age Dependency Ratio
China
21.4 per 100
Saudi Arabia
4.2 per 100
Sex Ratio
China
103.7 M/100F
Saudi Arabia
152.7 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
Saudi Arabia became the world's most populous country, ending China's centuries-long reign