China vs United States: Compare Statistics
Side-by-side comparison of 110 key metrics across economy, population, geography, and more — latest data through 2026.
Summary
In comparing China and the United States, the United States leads in GDP with $32.95 trillion compared to China's $20.73 trillion. However, China has a larger population of 1.41 billion compared to the United States' 349.13 million.
Economy
The United States boasts a higher Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of $32.95 trillion, surpassing China's $20.73 trillion. In contrast, China excels in Agriculture Value Added with $1.79 trillion compared to the United States' $350.60 billion.
People and Society
- China has a higher percentage of currently married individuals at 66.52% versus the United States' 51.38%.
- The United States has a higher Life Expectancy at birth of 83.22 years compared to China's 81.19 years.
Environment
- The United States has a greater Above-Ground Biomass in Forest with 94.67 tonnes/ha compared to China's 64.72 tonnes/ha.
- China has a larger Percentage of Land Area by Degree of Urbanization at 6.74% compared to the United States' 2.11%.
Communications
6 metrics| Metric | 🇨🇳 China | 🇺🇸 United States | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| Internet Usage Rate by Country (% of Population) | 90.6 % | 93.14 %★ | |
| Internet Users | percent of population: 78% (2023 est.) | percent of population: 93% (2023 est.) | |
| Press Freedom Index Score | 14.8 points | 65.49 points★ | |
| Radios | 417 | 575★ | |
| Televisions | 400★ | 219 | |
| Waterways | 27,700 | 41,009★ |
Economy
45 metricsEnvironment
5 metrics| Metric | 🇨🇳 China | 🇺🇸 United States | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| Annual CO₂ Emissions Growth (abs) | 117.03M | -14.29M★ | |
| Carbon Dioxide Emissions | 12.2 | 4.8★ | |
| Population Distribution | overwhelming majority of the population is found in the eastern half of the country; the west, with its vast mountainous and desert areas, remains sparsely populated; though ranked first in the world in total population, overall density is less than that | large urban clusters are spread throughout the eastern half of the US (particularly the Great Lakes area, northeast, east, and southeast) and the western-tier states; mountainous areas such as the Rocky Mountains and Appalachians, deserts in the southwest | |
| Total Renewable Groundwater Resources by Country | 828.8 Cubic meters per year | 1,383 Cubic meters per year★ | |
| Total Renewable Water Resources | 2.84 | 3.07★ |
Geography
6 metrics| Metric | 🇨🇳 China | 🇺🇸 United States | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| Percentage of land area by degree of urbanization | 6.74 %★ | 2.11 % | |
| Above-Ground Biomass in Forest (tonnes/ha) | 64.72 | 94.67★ | |
| Agricultural land | 5.19M sq. km★ | 4.17M sq. km | |
| Coastline Length (km) | 14,500 km | 19,924 km★ | |
| Dam capacity per capita | 566.97 cubic meters per inhabitant | 2,113 cubic meters per inhabitant★ | |
| Irrigated Land | 690,070★ | 234,782 |
Government
4 metrics| Metric | 🇨🇳 China | 🇺🇸 United States | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rule of Law Index by Country | 59.71 % | 88.3 %★ | |
| Administrative Divisions | 23 | 50★ | |
| Independence | 1 | 4★ | |
| Suffrage Participation Rate | 18 | 18 |
Health
8 metrics| Metric | 🇨🇳 China | 🇺🇸 United States | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| Diabetes Prevalence (% of Population) | 11.9 | 13.7★ | |
| Health Expenditure (% of GDP) | 5.4 % of GDP | 16.6 % of GDP★ | |
| HIV/AIDS Adult Prevalence Rate | NA | NA | |
| Hospital Bed Density | 5 people/sq km★ | 2.7 people/sq km | |
| Maternal Mortality Ratio (%) | 16 %★ | 17 % | |
| Obesity Adult Prevalence Rate (%) | 6.2 %★ | 36.2 % | |
| People Living With HIV/AIDS | NA | NA | |
| Underweight Children Under 5 | 2.4 | 0.4★ |
Military and Security
1 metric| Metric | 🇨🇳 China | 🇺🇸 United States | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Armed Forces Personnel (PPP) | 2.54M★ | 1.40M |
People and Society
30 metricsTransportation
5 metrics| Metric | 🇨🇳 China | 🇺🇸 United States | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| Air Travel Trips Per Capita (PPP) | 0.46 | 2.06★ | |
| Airports | 552 | 16,116★ | |
| Annual Human Space Visits (Total) | 0 | 3★ | |
| Civil Air Travel | 284 | 8,252★ | |
| Heliports | 120 | 8,130★ |