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What is the population of Chinese people around the world?

08/04/2025
Population Information

Overseas Chinese population (outside mainland China, Hong Kong, Macau, Taiwan) is about 50-60 million people, equivalent to 3,5-4% of the total population of Chinese origin.

overview

Overseas Chinese (海外華人 – Overseas Chinese) are one of the largest migrant communities in the world, with a history of migration spanning from the 16th century to the present, mainly originating from the southern coastal provinces of China such as Guangdong, Fujian, and Hainan.

They are concentrated in Southeast Asia, North America, Europe, and Oceania, playing an important role in the economy, trade, and culture of their host countries.

The population of mainland China in 2025 is estimated at 1,408 billion (World Population Review), but when overseas Chinese are included, the total global population of Chinese origin exceeds 1,46 billion.

Total global Chinese population

According to estimates from UN Data, Pew Research, and Statista:

  • Mainland China: The population in 2025 is estimated at 1,408 billion people (World Population Review).
  • Overseas Chinese (outside mainland China, Hong Kong, Macau, Taiwan): About 50-60 million people (based on 2023 data from Statista and Pew Research, slightly adjusted for 2025).
  • Hong Kong, Macau, Taiwan:
    • Hong Kong: ~7,4 million people (World Population Review 2025).
    • Macau: ~0,7 million people (UN Data 2023).
    • Taiwan: ~23,5 million people (World Population Review 2025).

Total Chinese people worldwide: Approx 1,46-1,47 billion people, of which overseas Chinese (outside Greater China) account for about 50-60 million people, equivalent to 3,5-4% of the total population of Chinese origin.

Distribution by region
  1. Southeast Asia:
    • The region has the largest Chinese community, accounting for ~70% of the total Chinese population globally.
    • Indonesia: 8-10 million people (2,8-3,5% of population, World Population Review 2023).
    • Malaysia: ~6,7 million people (21% of population, Malaysia Census 2020, adjusted 2025).
    • Thailand: 7-9 million people (10-13% of population, Danso.org 2024).
    • Singapore: ~3 million people (74% of population, Singapore Census 2020).
    • Philippines: 1,5-2 million people (1,5% of the population, World Population Review).
    • Vietnam: ~0,8 million people (0,8% of population).
    • Southeast Asia total: 27-31 million people.
  2. North America:
    • USA: ~5,5 million people (1,6% of population, US Census Bureau 2023). Concentrated in California, New York.
    • Glen: ~1,8 million people (4,5% of population, Statistics Canada 2021, adjusted 2025). Mainly in Toronto, Vancouver.
    • North America total: 7-7,5 million people.
  3. Europe:
    • Older brother: ~0,5 million people (0,7% of population, UK Census 2021).
    • France: ~0,7 million people (1% of population, INSEE 2023).
    • Italy: ~0,3 million people (0,5% of population, ISTAT 2023).
    • Other countries (Germany, Netherlands): ~0,5-0,7 million people.
    • Europe total: 2-2,5 million people.
  4. Oceania:
    • Australia: ~1,4 million people (5,5% of population, Australian Bureau of Statistics 2023).
    • New Zealand: ~0,25 million people (5% of population, Stats NZ 2023).
    • Oceania total: 1,6-1,7 million people.
  5. Africa:
    • South Africa: ~0,3-0,5 million people (0,5-0,8% of population, Stats SA 2023).
    • Other countries (Nigeria, Kenya): ~0,1-0,2 million people.
    • Africa total: 0,4-0,7 million people.
  6. Latin America:
    • Peru: ~0,1-0,2 million people (0,3-0,6% of population, INEI 2023).
    • Brazil: ~0,25 million people (0,1% of population, IBGE 2023).
    • Latin America total: 0,5-0,7 million people.
Overseas Chinese population
There are about 800.000 Vietnamese of Chinese origin, living mainly in Ho Chi Minh City.
Gender structure
  • Mainland China: Gender ratio 104 males/100 females (Danso.org 2024).
  • Overseas Chinese:
    • Southeast Asia: Skewed towards men (~52% men) due to historical labor migration.
    • North America, Europe: More balanced (~50/50) due to family migration.
    • Global average: ~51% male, 49% female (Pew Research 2023).
Age structure
  • Overseas Chinese:
    • Under 15 years old: 15-20% (~7,5-12 million people), mainly the foreign-born generation.
    • 15-64 years old: 65-70% (~32,5-42 million people), including workers and integrated young generation.
    • Over 65 years old: 10-15% (~5-9 million people), mainly in established communities (US, Canada).
  • The overseas Chinese community is generally younger than the mainland Chinese population (median age 38 years), but is aging in the West.
Population change
  • History: Major migration waves from the 16th-19th centuries (trade), after 1949 (refugees), and the 1990s (labor).
  • Present: The Chinese population is growing slightly due to net migration from China (258.547 people in 2022, UN Data), but the growth rate is slowing due to integration and declining birthrates in the second generation (Pew Research).
  • Increase speed: 0,5-1% per year, mainly in Asia, near steady in the West.
Forecast
  • By 2035: The overseas Chinese population could reach 55-65 million people thanks to labor migration and family reunification, but growth is slowing due to aging and immigration restrictions in some countries.
  • By 2050: It could reach 60-70 million if migration continues, or stabilize at 50-60 million if policies tighten (like in the US, Australia).
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