China vs United States: Compare Statistics
Side-by-side comparison of 173 key metrics across economy, population, geography, and more — latest data through 2026.
Summary
China has 4.0 times as many people as United States (1.41 billion vs 349.13 million). United States's economy is 59% larger than China's ($32.95 trillion vs $20.73 trillion GDP).
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
9 metrics| Metric | 🇨🇳 China | 🇺🇸 United States | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fixed Broadband Penetration | 47.19 subscriptions per 100 inhabitants★ | 38.86 subscriptions per 100 inhabitants | |
| Internet Penetration Rate (%) | 92 % | 94.69 %★ | |
| 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.) | |
| Mobile Internet Speed | 47.19 Mbps★ | 38.86 Mbps | |
| Press Freedom Index Score | 14.8 points | 65.49 points★ | |
| Radios | 417 | 575★ | |
| Televisions | 400★ | 219 | |
| Waterways | 27,700 | 41,009★ |
Economy
65 metricsEnvironment
11 metrics| Metric | 🇨🇳 China | 🇺🇸 United States | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| Annual CO₂ Emissions Growth (abs) | 117.03M | -14.29M★ | |
| Annual Forest Area Change Rate | 1.61M %★ | -72,000 % | |
| Average Annual Temperature | 8.21 °C | 10.43 °C★ | |
| Carbon Dioxide Emissions | 12.2 | 4.8★ | |
| Global Precipitation Distribution | 833.24 mm★ | 810.4 mm | |
| 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 | |
| Protected Land Area for Adaptation | 15.6 sq km★ | 12.85 sq km | |
| Protected Land Area Percentage | 15.6 %★ | 12.9 % | |
| 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★ | |
| Total Threatened Mammal Species | 78 species | 43 species★ |
Geography
7 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 | |
| Airports per 1,000 Sq Km | 9.39M★ | 9.15M | |
| 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
10 metrics| Metric | 🇨🇳 China | 🇺🇸 United States | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rule of Law Index by Country | 59.71 % | 88.3 %★ | |
| Administrative Divisions | 23 | 50★ | |
| Corruption Perception Index | 43 index★ | 65 index | |
| Corruption Perceptions Index Score | 43 index | 65 index★ | |
| Independence | 1 | 4★ | |
| LGBT Rights Index Score | 1.94 | 7.08★ | |
| Political Stability Index | 25 index | 47 index★ | |
| Prison Population Rate | 119 per 100,000★ | 642 per 100,000 | |
| Public Sector Corruption Perception | 43★ | 65 | |
| Suffrage Participation Rate | 18 | 18 |
Health
21 metricsMilitary and Security
3 metrics| Metric | 🇨🇳 China | 🇺🇸 United States | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| Active Military Personnel | 2.04M personnel★ | 1.36M personnel | |
| Military Expenditure (% of GDP) | 1.72 %★ | 3.12 % | |
| Total Armed Forces Personnel (PPP) | 2.54M★ | 1.40M |
People and Society
40 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★ |
Travel and Tourism
1 metric| Metric | 🇨🇳 China | 🇺🇸 United States | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tourism Receipts per Capita | 39.75B USD | 251.65B USD★ |
Other
1 metric| Metric | 🇨🇳 China | 🇺🇸 United States | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| Current Bank Rate | 3 % | 3.75 %★ |
Frequently Asked Questions About China vs United States
Which has a larger population, China or United States?▾
China. China has 4.0 times as many people as United States (1.41 billion vs 349.13 million). Data for 2026.
Which has a bigger economy, China or United States?▾
United States. United States's economy is 59% larger than China's ($32.95 trillion vs $20.73 trillion GDP). Data for 2026.
Which is richer per person, China or United States?▾
United States is richer per person: GDP per capita is about $94,373 in United States vs $14,673 in China (2026 GDP in current US dollars divided by population).