Decadal average surface temperature in China
China: Decadal average surface temperature was 7.36 °C in 2010. ▲ Rising
Decadal average surface temperature in China, 1940–2010
Source: Contains modified Copernicus Climate Change Service information (2026) – with major processing by Our World in Data. Measured in °C.
Analysis
In 2010, decadal average surface temperature in China stood at 7.36 °C. That is the highest value across all 8 years on record.
Compared with earlier readings it is up 1.6% over ten years.
Over the whole period, decadal average surface temperature in China peaked at 7.36 °C in 2010 and was at its lowest, 6.2 °C, in 1960.
That places China 172nd out of 193 countries with data for 2010, putting it in the bottom quarter.
Decadal average surface temperature in China, year by year
| Year | °C | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1940 | 6.6 °C | — |
| 1950 | 6.28 °C | -4.8% |
| 1960 | 6.2 °C | -1.3% |
| 1970 | 6.23 °C | +0.5% |
| 1980 | 6.4 °C | +2.7% |
| 1990 | 6.89 °C | +7.6% |
| 2000 | 7.24 °C | +5.1% |
| 2010 | 7.36 °C | +1.6% |
China compared with similar countries
- China's 7.36 °C is below the median for upper middle income countries, which is 22.75 °C, 32% of the median. (50 countries reporting)
- China's 7.36 °C is below the median for East Asia & Pacific, which is 24.51 °C, 30% of the median. (27 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1940s | 6.6 °C | 6.6 °C | 6.6 °C | 1 |
| 1950s | 6.28 °C | 6.28 °C | 6.28 °C | 1 |
| 1960s | 6.2 °C | 6.2 °C | 6.2 °C | 1 |
| 1970s | 6.23 °C | 6.23 °C | 6.23 °C | 1 |
| 1980s | 6.4 °C | 6.4 °C | 6.4 °C | 1 |
| 1990s | 6.89 °C | 6.89 °C | 6.89 °C | 1 |
| 2000s | 7.24 °C | 7.24 °C | 7.24 °C | 1 |
| 2010s | 7.36 °C | 7.36 °C | 7.36 °C | 1 |
Countries ranked near China
- 169 Belarus 7.77 °C compare
- 170 Lithuania 7.61 °C compare
- 171 Austria 7.42 °C compare
- 173 North Korea 7.28 °C compare
- 174 Faroe Islands 7.23 °C compare
- 175 Kazakhstan 7.13 °C compare
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 decadal average surface temperature in China?
- Decadal average surface temperature in China was 7.36 °C in 2010, according to Contains modified Copernicus Climate Change Service information (2026) – with major processing by Our World in Data.
- What is the highest decadal average surface temperature recorded in China?
- The highest recorded value was 7.36 °C in 2010.
- What is the lowest decadal average surface temperature recorded in China?
- The lowest recorded value was 6.2 °C in 1960.
- How does China rank for decadal average surface temperature?
- China ranks 172nd out of 193 countries with data for 2010.
- Is decadal average surface temperature rising or falling in China?
- Over the last ten years it is up 1.6%. The long-run trend across the full record is rising.
- Where does this China data come from?
- The figures come from Contains modified Copernicus Climate Change Service information (2026) – with major processing by Our World in Data, published as part of Decadal average surface temperature. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
Download this data
CSV · JSON — 8 observations, free to reuse under CC BY 4.0 (Our World in Data).
About this data
Temperature of the air measured 2 meters above the ground, encompassing land, sea, and in-land water surfaces.