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China vs Japan: Urban Population Comparison

Compare Urban Population of China and Japan over time using official World Bank Open Data.

⚡ Quick Comparison Summary

In 2025, China recorded Urban Population of 933.17M vs 113.87M for Japan (China's Urban Population is 8.2× larger than Japan's.).

🇨🇳 China
933.17M
+102.9% since 2000
🇯🇵 Japan
113.87M
+14.2% since 2000
⚖️ Scale Ratio
8.2×
Gap: 819.30M
Urban Population
Progressive time series visualization
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Range: —
2000 2025
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China vs Japan All Annual Observations (1960 – 2025)

Complete annual observations of Urban Population for China and Japan reported by World Bank.

Year 🇨🇳 China Urban Population 🇯🇵 Japan Urban Population Japan : China Ratio
2025 933.17M 113.87M 0.12×
2024 928.44M 114.29M 0.12×
2023 924.44M 114.66M 0.12×
2022 920.99M 115.09M 0.12×
2021 914.09M 115.47M 0.13×
2020 896.38M 115.88M 0.13×
2019 882.80M 116.14M 0.13×
2018 862.70M 116.21M 0.13×
2017 841.08M 116.24M 0.14×
2016 816.57M 116.22M 0.14×
2015 791.07M 116.15M 0.15×
2014 764.82M 116.15M 0.15×
2013 742.83M 116.17M 0.16×
2012 719.08M 116.18M 0.16×
2011 697.13M 116.15M 0.17×
2010 658.61M 116.06M 0.18×
2009 643.55M 115.39M 0.18×
2008 622.45M 114.35M 0.18×
2007 604.77M 112.99M 0.19×
2006 581.35M 111.42M 0.19×
2005 560.47M 109.83M 0.20×
2004 541.24M 107.79M 0.20×
2003 522.19M 105.27M 0.20×
2002 500.51M 102.65M 0.21×
2001 478.98M 100.65M 0.21×
2000 460.01M 99.71M 0.22×
1999 435.70M 99.34M 0.23×
1998 414.19M 99.00M 0.24×
1997 392.52M 98.62M 0.25×
1996 371.11M 98.26M 0.26×
1995 349.89M 97.89M 0.28×
1994 339.79M 97.49M 0.29×
1993 329.85M 97.05M 0.29×
1992 319.90M 96.57M 0.30×
1991 310.02M 96.04M 0.31×
1990 297.37M 95.50M 0.32×
1989 293.20M 95.02M 0.32×
1988 284.38M 94.47M 0.33×
1987 274.47M 93.92M 0.34×
1986 261.63M 93.31M 0.36×
1985 249.17M 92.67M 0.37×
1984 238.62M 91.95M 0.39×
1983 221.28M 91.22M 0.41×
1982 207.43M 90.46M 0.44×
1981 200.33M 89.72M 0.45×
1980 190.27M 88.97M 0.47×
1979 183.73M 88.21M 0.48×
1978 171.30M 87.42M 0.51×
1977 165.59M 86.58M 0.52×
1976 162.28M 85.68M 0.53×
1975 158.95M 84.63M 0.53×
1974 154.54M 83.07M 0.54×
1973 151.70M 81.13M 0.53×
1972 147.68M 78.97M 0.53×
1971 145.18M 76.85M 0.53×
1970 142.22M 74.31M 0.52×
1969 139.30M 72.67M 0.52×
1968 136.47M 71.03M 0.52×
1967 133.86M 69.44M 0.52×
1966 131.34M 67.93M 0.52×
1965 128.62M 66.49M 0.52×
1964 127.80M 64.94M 0.51×
1963 114.88M 63.43M 0.55×
1962 115.34M 61.93M 0.54×
1961 127.41M 60.45M 0.47×
1960 131.72M 58.97M 0.45×

Urban Population Comparison

• Current Leader: In 2025, China recorded Urban Population of 933.17M, while Japan recorded 113.87M, representing a scale ratio of ~8.2×.
• 1960 Baseline: China stood at 131.72M and Japan stood at 58.97M.
• 2000–2025 Trajectory: China moved to 933.17M (+102.9% since 2000), while Japan moved to 113.87M (+14.2% since 2000).
• Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR): From 2000 to 2025, China's Urban Population expanded at ~2.9% CAGR, while Japan's expanded at ~0.5% CAGR.

Historical Trends

Over the available reporting period from 1960 to 2025, China and Japan followed distinct developmental paths. In 1960, China recorded 131.72M compared to 58.97M for Japan. By 2025, the values evolved to 933.17M and 113.87M respectively.

Key Differences

• Absolute Gap: Difference in 2025 is 819.30M.
• Scale Ratio: China is 8.2× size of Japan.
• Highest Observed Year: Peak observed was 933.17M (China in 2025).
• Growth Trajectory: Since 2000, China achieved +102.9% since 2000, while Japan achieved +14.2% since 2000.

About Urban Population

Urban population refers to people living in urban areas as defined by national statistical offices.

This comparison uses standardized data from World Bank Open Data. Historical records allow analysts to trace long-term development trajectories for China and Japan.

Frequently Asked Questions — Urban Population

What is the Urban Population of China?

In 2025, China's Urban Population was 933.17M according to official World Bank data.

What is the Urban Population of Japan?

In 2025, Japan's Urban Population was 113.87M according to official World Bank data.

Which country has a higher Urban Population?

In 2025, China recorded a higher Urban Population of 933.17M compared to Japan's 113.87M (a difference of 819.30M).

How has Urban Population changed over time for China and Japan?

From 2000 to 2025, China's Urban Population changed by +102.9% since 2000, while Japan's changed by +14.2% since 2000.

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Data Source and Methodology

Source: World Bank Open Data. Indicator Code: SP.URB.TOTL (Urban Population). Values represent annual urban population for China and Japan from 1960 through 2025. Missing reporting years are omitted without converting missing values to zero.