China vs France: Cumulative number of objects launched into outer space
China
1,759
in 2025
France
200
in 2025
China rank
3rd
France rank
6th
Cumulative number of objects launched into outer space over time
- China
- France
How they compare
China currently reports 1,759 against 200 in France, a difference of 1,559.
That makes China's figure about 8.8 times France's.
The two have swapped places 3 times across 38 shared years of data; in 1970 it was France ahead.
China ranks 3rd and France ranks 6th of 50 countries.
Across the 6 decades both report, China averaged higher in 4 and France in 2.
Head to head by decade
| Decade | China | France | Difference | Ahead |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1970s | 3 | 12.75 | 9.75 | France |
| 1980s | 20.25 | 24.75 | 4.5 | France |
| 1990s | 44.62 | 36.5 | 8.12 | China |
| 2000s | 115.86 | 54.14 | 61.71 | China |
| 2010s | 314.22 | 101 | 213.22 | China |
| 2020s | 1,086 | 153.67 | 932.33 | China |
Averages of every year both report within each decade.
Frequently asked questions
- Which has higher cumulative number of objects launched into outer space, China or France?
- China, at 1,759 against 200 in France as of 2025.
- What is the difference in cumulative number of objects launched into outer space between China and France?
- 1,559, with China ahead.
- How many years of comparable data are there for China and France?
- 38 years are reported by both, from 1970 to 2025.
- How do China and France rank globally for cumulative number of objects launched into outer space?
- China ranks 3rd and France ranks 6th of 50 countries.
- Where does this data come from?
- Our World in Data, published as Cumulative number of objects launched into outer space. Statizoid refreshes it automatically from the source and publishes the full history for both places.