Air passengers in China
China: Air passengers was 619.22 million in 2023. ◆ Volatile
Air passengers in China, 1974–2023
Source: International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), via World Bank (2026) – processed by Our World in Data.
Analysis
In 2023, air passengers in China stood at 619.22 million.
The figure is up 146.9% on the previous year and up 75.5% over ten years.
Over the whole period, air passengers in China peaked at 659.63 million in 2019 and was at its lowest, 710,000, in 1974.
China ranks 2nd of 183 countries on this measure, in the top 10%.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
Air passengers in China, year by year
| Year | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1974 | 710,000 | — |
| 1975 | 1.00 million | +40.8% |
| 1976 | 1.05 million | +5.0% |
| 1977 | 1.11 million | +5.7% |
| 1978 | 1.54 million | +38.7% |
| 1979 | 2.52 million | +63.6% |
| 1980 | 2.57 million | +1.9% |
| 1981 | 3.24 million | +26.0% |
| 1982 | 3.94 million | +21.8% |
| 1983 | 3.84 million | -2.7% |
| 1984 | 5.00 million | +30.3% |
| 1985 | 7.30 million | +46.0% |
| 1986 | 10.00 million | +37.0% |
| 1987 | 12.50 million | +25.0% |
| 1988 | 17.00 million | +36.0% |
| 1989 | 11.08 million | -34.8% |
| 1990 | 16.60 million | +49.8% |
| 1991 | 19.52 million | +17.6% |
| 1992 | 27.34 million | +40.1% |
| 1993 | 31.31 million | +14.5% |
| 1994 | 37.60 million | +20.1% |
| 1995 | 47.56 million | +26.5% |
| 1996 | 51.77 million | +8.8% |
| 1997 | 52.28 million | +1.0% |
| 1998 | 53.23 million | +1.8% |
| 1999 | 55.85 million | +4.9% |
| 2000 | 61.89 million | +10.8% |
| 2001 | 72.66 million | +17.4% |
| 2002 | 83.67 million | +15.2% |
| 2003 | 86.04 million | +2.8% |
| 2004 | 119.79 million | +39.2% |
| 2005 | 136.72 million | +14.1% |
| 2006 | 158.01 million | +15.6% |
| 2007 | 183.61 million | +16.2% |
| 2008 | 191.00 million | +4.0% |
| 2009 | 229.06 million | +19.9% |
| 2010 | 266.29 million | +16.3% |
| 2011 | 292.16 million | +9.7% |
| 2012 | 318.48 million | +9.0% |
| 2013 | 352.80 million | +10.8% |
| 2014 | 390.88 million | +10.8% |
| 2015 | 436.18 million | +11.6% |
| 2016 | 487.96 million | +11.9% |
| 2017 | 551.23 million | +13.0% |
| 2018 | 611.44 million | +10.9% |
| 2019 | 659.63 million | +7.9% |
| 2020 | 417.26 million | -36.7% |
| 2021 | 440.30 million | +5.5% |
| 2022 | 250.75 million | -43.0% |
| 2023 | 619.22 million | +146.9% |
China compared with similar countries
- China's 619.22 million is above the median for upper middle income countries, which is 1.37 million, 452.5× the median. (52 countries reporting)
- China's 619.22 million is above the median for East Asia & Pacific, which is 2.05 million, 301.6× the median. (29 countries reporting)
Biggest year-on-year movements
Years where Air passengers in China changed far more than this series normally does. A large move can be a real event or a change in how the figure was measured — the source note below says who published it.
| Year | Change | From | To |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | +146.9% | 250.75 million | 619.22 million |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1970s | 1.32 million | 710,000 | 2.52 million | 6 |
| 1980s | 7.65 million | 2.57 million | 17.00 million | 10 |
| 1990s | 39.31 million | 16.60 million | 55.85 million | 10 |
| 2000s | 132.25 million | 61.89 million | 229.06 million | 10 |
| 2010s | 436.70 million | 266.29 million | 659.63 million | 10 |
| 2020s | 431.88 million | 250.75 million | 619.22 million | 4 |
Countries ranked near China
More reference data data for China
- Emission Totals - Indirect emissions (N2O) - Manure applied to Soils 49.4 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Indirect emissions (N2O) - Manure left on Pasture 75.5 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Indirect emissions (N2O) - IPCC Agriculture 303.29 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Indirect emissions (N2O) - Crop Residues 18.8 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Indirect emissions (N2O) - Agricultural Soils 303.29 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Emissions (N2O) - Manure applied to Soils 165.62 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Emissions (N2O) - Manure Management 206.2 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Emissions (N2O) - Manure left on Pasture 350.74 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Emissions (N2O) - IPCC Agriculture 1,480 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Emissions (N2O) - Crop Residues 102.37 (2050)
Frequently asked questions
- What is air passengers in China?
- Air passengers in China was 619.22 million in 2023, according to International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), via World Bank (2026) – processed by Our World in Data.
- What is the highest air passengers recorded in China?
- The highest recorded value was 659.63 million in 2019.
- What is the lowest air passengers recorded in China?
- The lowest recorded value was 710,000 in 1974.
- How does China rank for air passengers?
- China ranks 2nd out of 183 countries with data for 2023.
- Is air passengers rising or falling in China?
- Over the last ten years it is up 75.5%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this China data come from?
- The figures come from International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), via World Bank (2026) – processed by Our World in Data, published as part of Air passengers. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
Download this data
CSV · JSON — 50 observations, free to reuse under CC BY 4.0 (Our World in Data).
About this data
Domestic and international passengers of airlines registered in the country. Passengers counted each time they travel.