Annual freight transport in China
China: Annual freight transport was 10.92 million Tonnes-kilometres in 2023. ◆ Volatile
Latest (2023)
10.92 million Tonnes-kilometres
Change on year
up 7.1%
World rank
1st
of 21 countries
All-time high
10.92 million Tonnes-kilometres
in 2023
All-time low
248,700 Tonnes-kilometres
in 1978
Years of data
37
1978–2023
Annual freight transport in China, 1978–2023
Source: Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development. Measured in Tonnes-kilometres.
Analysis
The most recent figure for annual freight transport in China is 10.92 million Tonnes-kilometres, measured in 2023. That is the highest value across all 37 years on record.
The figure is up 7.1% on the previous year and up 124.2% over ten years.
Over the whole period, annual freight transport in China peaked at 10.92 million Tonnes-kilometres in 2023 and was at its lowest, 248,700 Tonnes-kilometres, in 1978.
That places China 1st out of 21 countries with data for 2023, putting it in the top 10%.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
Annual freight transport in China, year by year
| Year | Tonnes-kilometres | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1978 | 248,700 Tonnes-kilometres | — |
| 1980 | 353,200 Tonnes-kilometres | +42.0% |
| 1985 | 532,900 Tonnes-kilometres | +50.9% |
| 1990 | 814,100 Tonnes-kilometres | +52.8% |
| 1991 | 899,000 Tonnes-kilometres | +10.4% |
| 1992 | 903,400 Tonnes-kilometres | +0.5% |
| 1993 | 913,400 Tonnes-kilometres | +1.1% |
| 1994 | 1.03 million Tonnes-kilometres | +12.4% |
| 1995 | 1.19 million Tonnes-kilometres | +16.3% |
| 1996 | 1.13 million Tonnes-kilometres | -5.7% |
| 1997 | 1.49 million Tonnes-kilometres | +32.2% |
| 1998 | 1.49 million Tonnes-kilometres | +0.3% |
| 1999 | 1.70 million Tonnes-kilometres | +14.0% |
| 2000 | 1.71 million Tonnes-kilometres | +0.3% |
| 2001 | 2.09 million Tonnes-kilometres | +22.3% |
| 2002 | 2.17 million Tonnes-kilometres | +4.1% |
| 2003 | 2.23 million Tonnes-kilometres | +2.6% |
| 2004 | 3.23 million Tonnes-kilometres | +44.6% |
| 2005 | 3.86 million Tonnes-kilometres | +19.5% |
| 2006 | 4.26 million Tonnes-kilometres | +10.4% |
| 2007 | 4.87 million Tonnes-kilometres | +14.3% |
| 2008 | 3.29 million Tonnes-kilometres | -32.5% |
| 2009 | 3.95 million Tonnes-kilometres | +20.3% |
| 2010 | 4.60 million Tonnes-kilometres | +16.4% |
| 2011 | 4.94 million Tonnes-kilometres | +7.3% |
| 2012 | 5.34 million Tonnes-kilometres | +8.2% |
| 2013 | 4.87 million Tonnes-kilometres | -8.8% |
| 2014 | 5.59 million Tonnes-kilometres | +14.8% |
| 2015 | 5.42 million Tonnes-kilometres | -3.0% |
| 2016 | 5.81 million Tonnes-kilometres | +7.1% |
| 2017 | 5.51 million Tonnes-kilometres | -5.2% |
| 2018 | 5.19 million Tonnes-kilometres | -5.7% |
| 2019 | 5.41 million Tonnes-kilometres | +4.1% |
| 2020 | 8.99 million Tonnes-kilometres | +66.3% |
| 2021 | 9.78 million Tonnes-kilometres | +8.8% |
| 2022 | 10.20 million Tonnes-kilometres | +4.2% |
| 2023 | 10.92 million Tonnes-kilometres | +7.1% |
China compared with similar countries
- China's 10.92 million Tonnes-kilometres is above the median for upper middle income countries, which is 6,971 Tonnes-kilometres, 1566.2× the median. (5 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1970s | 248,700 Tonnes-kilometres | 248,700 Tonnes-kilometres | 248,700 Tonnes-kilometres | 1 |
| 1980s | 443,050 Tonnes-kilometres | 353,200 Tonnes-kilometres | 532,900 Tonnes-kilometres | 2 |
| 1990s | 1.16 million Tonnes-kilometres | 814,100 Tonnes-kilometres | 1.70 million Tonnes-kilometres | 10 |
| 2000s | 3.16 million Tonnes-kilometres | 1.71 million Tonnes-kilometres | 4.87 million Tonnes-kilometres | 10 |
| 2010s | 5.27 million Tonnes-kilometres | 4.60 million Tonnes-kilometres | 5.81 million Tonnes-kilometres | 10 |
| 2020s | 9.97 million Tonnes-kilometres | 8.99 million Tonnes-kilometres | 10.92 million Tonnes-kilometres | 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 annual freight transport in China?
- Annual freight transport in China was 10.92 million Tonnes-kilometres in 2023, according to Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development.
- What is the highest annual freight transport recorded in China?
- The highest recorded value was 10.92 million Tonnes-kilometres in 2023.
- What is the lowest annual freight transport recorded in China?
- The lowest recorded value was 248,700 Tonnes-kilometres in 1978.
- How does China rank for annual freight transport?
- China ranks 1st out of 21 countries with data for 2023.
- Is annual freight transport rising or falling in China?
- Over the last ten years it is up 124.2%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this China data come from?
- The figures come from Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, published as part of Annual freight transport. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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About this data
Freight transport by rail, road, inland waterways and pipeline.