China vs Italy: Yearly number of objects launched into outer space
China
374
in 2025
Italy
30
in 2025
China rank
2nd
Italy rank
4th
Yearly number of objects launched into outer space over time
- China
- Italy
How they compare
China currently reports 374 against 30 in Italy, a difference of 344.
That makes China's figure about 12.5 times Italy's.
The two have swapped places 5 times across 31 shared years of data; in 1971 it was Italy ahead.
China ranks 2nd and Italy ranks 4th of 50 countries.
China has averaged higher in every one of the 6 decades both report.
Head to head by decade
| Decade | China | Italy | Difference | Ahead |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1970s | 1 | 1 | 0 | — |
| 1980s | 4 | 1 | 3 | China |
| 1990s | 3.4 | 1.4 | 2 | China |
| 2000s | 8.57 | 1.57 | 7 | China |
| 2010s | 38.8 | 1.9 | 36.9 | China |
| 2020s | 202.5 | 14 | 188.5 | China |
Averages of every year both report within each decade.
Frequently asked questions
- Which has higher yearly number of objects launched into outer space, China or Italy?
- China, at 374 against 30 in Italy as of 2025.
- What is the difference in yearly number of objects launched into outer space between China and Italy?
- 344, with China ahead.
- How many years of comparable data are there for China and Italy?
- 31 years are reported by both, from 1971 to 2025.
- How do China and Italy rank globally for yearly number of objects launched into outer space?
- China ranks 2nd and Italy ranks 4th of 50 countries.
- Where does this data come from?
- Our World in Data, published as Yearly number of objects launched into outer space. Statizoid refreshes it automatically from the source and publishes the full history for both places.