China vs United States
Population, economy and geography side by side
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China has 4.1 times as many people as United States (1.40 billion vs 343 million in 2026). China is 1.0 times larger by land area. GDP per capita is higher in United States ($90,027 vs $13,862). People live longer on average in United States (78.9 vs 78.0 years).
| China | United States | |
|---|---|---|
| Population (2026) | 1,403,496,576 | 343,382,784 |
| Yearly population change | −0.22% | +0.47% |
| Population 2050 (projected) | 1.24 billion | 373 million |
| Land area | 9,388,210 km² | 9,147,420 km² |
| Density | 149/km² | 38/km² |
| GDP | $19.50 trillion (2025) | $30.77 trillion (2025) |
| GDP per capita | $13,862 (2025) | $90,027 (2025) |
| Life expectancy | 78.0 years | 78.9 years |
| Births per woman | 1.01 | 1.63 |
| Urban population | 66% | 80% |
| Capital | Beijing | Washington, D.C. |
| Currency | renminbi (CNY) | United States dollar (USD) |
| Calling code | +86 | +1 |
Share of world population: China 16.94%, United States 4.14%.
Frequently asked questions
Which has a bigger population, China or United States?
China: about 1.40 billion people versus 343 million in United States (2026).
Is China bigger than United States?
By land area, China is larger: 9,388,210 km² versus 9,147,420 km².
Which economy is bigger, China or United States?
United States, with a GDP of $30.77 trillion versus $19.50 trillion (World Bank, current US$).
Sources: World Bank Open Data — World Development Indicators and Population Estimates and Projections (CC BY 4.0); Wikidata (CC0). Retrieved 2026-10-22. GDP in current US dollars (World Bank, latest available year).