China median age by year, 1990 to 2023

China: 39.1 years in 2023. Median age peaked at 39.1 years in 2023 in this 1990–2023 series.

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What the data shows

China: 23.7 years in 1990, 39.1 years in 2023 (1.6× higher).
Russia: 32.2 years in 1990, 39.5 years in 2023.
Norway: 34.4 years in 1990, 39.5 years in 2023.
Thailand: 23.2 years in 1990, 39.7 years in 2023 (1.7× higher).

About this chart

China's median age rose from 23.7 years in 1990 to 39.1 years in 2023. The oldest median age in the displayed estimates was 39.1 years in 2023. Its lowest median age in this window was 23.7 years in 1990. These figures describe the midpoint of the population's age distribution, not average age or expected lifespan.

Median age divides the population into equal younger and older halves. These UN World Population Prospects 2024 figures are estimates, both sexes combined; no projected years are included. In 2023, the comparison lines show Russia (39.5 years), Norway (39.5 years) and Thailand (39.7 years). These peers have the closest latest values among reporting countries with over one million people and a continuous common history; they are not selected by geography.

The data

Source: UN World Population Prospects 2024 via Our World in Data, median age in years, estimates only. Retrieved November 5, 2026. Median age divides the population into equal younger and older halves. These UN World Population Prospects 2024 figures are estimates, both sexes combined; no projected years are included. Peers are selected by proximity to the country's latest value among countries with over one million people and a continuous common series.

China: median age, years, 1990 to 2023; three nearest peers, 1990–2023
Date	🇨🇳 China	🇷🇺 Russia	🇳🇴 Norway	🇹🇭 Thailand
1990	23.7 years	32.2 years	34.4 years	23.2 years
1991	24.1 years	32.5 years	34.5 years	23.8 years
1992	24.6 years	32.9 years	34.7 years	24.4 years
1993	25.1 years	33.4 years	34.8 years	25.0 years
1994	25.6 years	33.7 years	34.9 years	25.6 years
1995	26.1 years	34.0 years	35.1 years	26.2 years
1996	26.6 years	34.3 years	35.2 years	26.7 years
1997	27.2 years	34.7 years	35.4 years	27.3 years
1998	27.8 years	35.1 years	35.5 years	27.9 years
1999	28.4 years	35.4 years	35.7 years	28.5 years
2000	29.0 years	35.7 years	35.8 years	29.0 years
2001	29.5 years	36.0 years	36.0 years	29.5 years
2002	30.1 years	36.1 years	36.2 years	29.9 years
2003	30.7 years	36.2 years	36.4 years	30.3 years
2004	31.2 years	36.3 years	36.7 years	30.8 years
2005	31.8 years	36.4 years	36.9 years	31.2 years
2006	32.3 years	36.5 years	37.1 years	31.7 years
2007	32.8 years	36.6 years	37.3 years	32.1 years
2008	33.3 years	36.7 years	37.4 years	32.6 years
2009	33.7 years	36.8 years	37.6 years	33.0 years
2010	34.1 years	37.0 years	37.7 years	33.5 years
2011	34.5 years	37.1 years	37.8 years	34.0 years
2012	34.9 years	37.2 years	37.9 years	34.4 years
2013	35.1 years	37.4 years	38.0 years	34.9 years
2014	35.4 years	37.5 years	38.1 years	35.3 years
2015	35.7 years	37.7 years	38.2 years	35.8 years
2016	36.0 years	37.8 years	38.3 years	36.3 years
2017	36.3 years	38.0 years	38.4 years	36.7 years
2018	36.6 years	38.2 years	38.6 years	37.2 years
2019	37.0 years	38.4 years	38.8 years	37.7 years
2020	37.5 years	38.7 years	39.0 years	38.2 years
2021	38.0 years	38.9 years	39.3 years	38.7 years
2022	38.5 years	39.1 years	39.4 years	39.2 years
2023	39.1 years	39.5 years	39.5 years	39.7 years

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Frequently asked questions

What is the median age in China?

China's median age was 39.1 years in 2023, according to UN World Population Prospects 2024 estimates. Half the population was younger and half older than that age.

When was China's median age highest in this series?

The highest displayed value was 39.1 years in 2023. This comparison covers 1990 through 2023; it is not a claim about years outside the available series.

Why are these countries compared with China?

The comparison selects three countries with the closest 2023 values, among countries with over one million people and at least fifteen consecutive annual observations in common. The matching is based on the indicator level, not economic structure or geographic proximity.

Where does this data come from?

UN World Population Prospects 2024 via Our World in Data, median age in years, estimates only. Retrieved November 5, 2026. Median age divides the population into equal younger and older halves. These UN World Population Prospects 2024 figures are estimates, both sexes combined; no projected years are included. Peers are selected by proximity to the country's latest value among countries with over one million people and a continuous common series. You can download the full table as a CSV from this page.

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