China vs United States: Yearly number of objects launched into outer space
China
374
in 2025
United States
3,708
in 2025
China rank
2nd
United States rank
1st
Yearly number of objects launched into outer space over time
- China
- United States
How they compare
United States currently reports 3,708 against 374 in China, a difference of 3,334.
That makes United States's figure about 9.9 times China's.
Across all 50 years both countries report, United States has been ahead every year.
China ranks 2nd and United States ranks 1st of 50 countries.
United States has averaged higher in every one of the 6 decades both report.
Head to head by decade
| Decade | China | United States | Difference | Ahead |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1970s | 1.5 | 31.17 | 29.67 | United States |
| 1980s | 2.12 | 20.88 | 18.75 | United States |
| 1990s | 4.6 | 51 | 46.4 | United States |
| 2000s | 8.4 | 33.8 | 25.4 | United States |
| 2010s | 38.8 | 132.5 | 93.7 | United States |
| 2020s | 202.5 | 2,059 | 1,856 | United States |
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 United States?
- United States, at 3,708 against 374 in China as of 2025.
- What is the difference in yearly number of objects launched into outer space between China and United States?
- 3,334, with United States ahead.
- How many years of comparable data are there for China and United States?
- 50 years are reported by both, from 1970 to 2025.
- How do China and United States rank globally for yearly number of objects launched into outer space?
- China ranks 2nd and United States ranks 1st 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.