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China Population 2025 & Religious Demographics: Trends & Insights
China, officially the People’s Republic of China (PRC), is an East Asian country. China was the world’s most populous country from at least 1950 until being surpassed by India in 2023. As per the UN World Population Prospects report, the estimated population of China in 2024 is 1,425,178,782 (1.42 Billion)
As per the National Bureau of Statistics of China (NBSC) estimated Population of China in 2025 is 1,408,280,000 or 1.4 Billion
China has a population growth rate during 2020-2021 of 0.39%. Its population is equivalent to 18.47% of the total world population. The total land area of China is 9,326,410 sq. km (3,600,950 sq. mi ) and the population density of China is 153 person/sq. km.
| China | 2025 Population |
| Total Population | 1,408,280,000 (1.40 Billion) |
| Global Rank | 2 |
| Share of World Pop. | 18.47% |
| Land Area | 9,326,410 sq. km (3,600,950 sq. mi) |
| Area Rank | 2nd* |
Density Capital City | 153 person/km2 Beijing |
By total Area: (Land + Water) China stands at 4th number behind Canada & US
Religious Demographics of China (2025 Updated)
The People’s Republic of China recognizes five religions: Buddhism, Taoism, Catholicism, Protestantism, and Islam. In the early 21st century, there has been increasing official recognition of Confucianism and Chinese folk religion as part of China’s cultural inheritance.
As per various surveys and estimates, 73.56% of the Chinese population follows Chinese folk religions including (Taoism, and Confucianism or Irreligious). Next comes Buddhism, 15.87% of the Chinese declare to be Buddhists. 7.60% to belongs Taoists, unspecified religions, and other sects.
Christianity is the third largest religion in Cina and is followed by around 3% of the population. Protestantism is more widespread and 2.19% of the population is its adherent. Catholicism is at 0.34% and a small number of people follow Orthodox Christianity.
Muslims are found in every province of China, but they constitute a majority only in Xinjiang, and a large population in Ningxia and Qinghai. Only 1.45% of the Chinese people follow Islam. Some surveys estimate it to be 2-3% of the population.
| Religion | Percent |
| Chinese folk religion or Irreligion | 73.56% |
| Buddhism | 15.87% |
| Taoism, folk sects, and others | 7.60% |
| Protestantism | 2.19% |
| Islam | 1.45% |
| Catholicism | 0.34% |
Source: The government of the People’s Republic of China officially espouses state atheism and clear data on religious affiliation in China is difficult to gather due to varying definitions of “religion” and the unorganized, diffusive nature of Chinese religious traditions. So all data available is as per estimates and sample surveys.
Projected Religious Demographics in China (2010-2050)
According to the PEW research center, China’s religious landscape is largely secular, with over 50% of the population unaffiliated. Folk religions and Buddhism hold steady at around 21-22% and 18%, respectively. Christianity is growing slowly, while Islam is increasing at a moderate pace. Other religions, including Hinduism, Judaism, and smaller faiths, collectively remain under 1% of the population.
| Year | Christians | Muslims | Unaffiliated | Buddhists | Folk Religions | Others |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2010 | 5.2% | 2.0% | 51.8% | 18.3% | 21.9% | <1% |
| 2020 | 5.1% | 1.8% | 52.2% | 18.2% | 21.9% | <1% |
| 2030 | 5.2% | 2.0% | 51.8% | 18.3% | 21.9% | <1% |
| 2040 | 5.3% | 2.2% | 51.6% | 18.4% | 21.9% | <1% |
| 2050 | 5.3% | 2.4% | 51.2% | 18.4% | 21.9% | <1% |
| 2060 | 5.4% | 2.7% | 50.8% | 18.5% | 21.8% | <1% |
China Province wise religion percentage
Religions in each province, major city, and autonomous region of China
| Province | Chinese Folk | Buddhism | Christianity | Islam |
| Fujian | 31.31% | 40.40% | 3.97% | 0.32% |
| Zhejiang | 23.02% | 23.99% | 3.89% | <0.2% |
| Guangxi | 40.48% | 10.23% | 0.15% | <0.2% |
| Guangdong | 43.71% | 5.18% | 0.68% | <0.2% |
| Yunnan | 32.22% | 13.06% | 0.68% | 1.52% |
| Guizhou | 31.18% | 1.86% | 0.49% | 0.48% |
| Jiangsu | 16.67% | 14.17% | 2.67% | <0.2% |
| Jiangxi | 24.05% | 7.96% | 0.66% | <0.2% |
| Shandong | 25.28% | 2.90% | 1.54% | 0.55% |
| Hunan | 20.19% | 2.44% | 0.49% | <0.2% |
| Shanxi | 15.61% | 3.65% | 1.55% | <0.2% |
| Henan | 7.94% | 5.52% | 4.95% | 1.05% |
| Jilin | 7.73% | 8.23% | 3.26% | <0.2% |
| Anhui | 4.64% | 7.83% | 4.32% | 0.58% |
| Gansu | 3.51% | 5.80% | 0.28% | 7.00% |
| Heilongjiang | 7.73% | 4.39% | 3.63% | 0.35% |
| Shaanxi | 7.58% | 6.35% | 1.66% | 0.40% |
| Liaoning | 7.73% | 5.31% | 2.00% | 0.64% |
| Sichuan | 10.60% | 2.06% | 0.30% | <0.2% |
| Hubei | 6.50% | 2.09% | 1.71% | <0.2% |
| Hebei | 5.52% | 1.59% | 1.13% | 0.82% |
| Hainan | – | – | 0.48% | <0.2% |
| Beijing | – | 11.20% | 0.78% | 1.76% |
| Chongqing | 26.63% | 0.85% | 0.28% | <0.2% |
| Shanghai | – | 10.30% | 1.88% | 0.36% |
| Tianjin | – | – | 0.43% | <0.2% |
| Tibet | 19.40% | ~80% | 0.10% | 0.40% |
| Xinjiang | – | – | 1.00% | 58% |
| Ningxia | – | – | 1.17% | 34% |
| Qinghai | – | – | 0.76% | 17.51% |
| Inner Mongolia | 2.36% | 12.10% | 2.00% | 0.91% |
| China | 16% | 15% | 2.50% | 2% |
Source: Wikipedia & latest data estimates
Largest Cities in China by Population
| Rank | City | Province | Pop. 2020 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Shanghai | SH | 24,281,400 |
| 2 | Beijing | BJ | 19,164,000 |
| 3 | Guangzhou | GD | 13,858,700 |
| 4 | Shenzhen | GD | 13,438,800 |
| 5 | Tianjin | TJ | 11,744,400 |
| 6 | Chongqing | CQ | 11,488,000 |
| 7 | Dongguan | GD | 9,752,500 |
| 8 | Chengdu | SC | 8,875,600 |
| 9 | Wuhan | HB | 8,652,900 |
| 10 | Hangzhou | ZJ | 8,109,000 |
| 11 | Hong Kong | HK | 7,448,900 |
| 12 | Zhengzhou | HA | 7,179,400 |
| 13 | Nanjing | JS | 6,823,500 |
| 14 | Xi’an | SN | 6,642,100 |
| 15 | Jinan | SD | 6,409,600 |
| 16 | Shenyang | LN | 5,900,000 |
| 17 | Qingdao | SD | 5,501,400 |
| 18 | Harbin | HL | 5,054,500 |
| 19 | Hefei | AH | 4,750,100 |
| 20 | Changchun | JL | 4,730,900 |