China Gini Index
Gini index (0=perfect equality, 100=perfect inequality) SI.POV.GINI
China's gini index was 33.4 in 2025, ranked 42nd globally. This represents a 7.4% decrease from 2024. Data from World Bank, covering 1981–2025.
Overview
China's gini index stood at 33.4 in 2025, a decline of +2.7 from 2022. Based on recent trends, this figure is projected to reach 33.4 by 2025. China ranked 42nd globally.
China’s Gini index rose from 28.20 in 1981 to a historic high of 43.70 in 2010, reflecting a sharp widening of income inequality during the rapid industrialisation and urbanisation of the early reform era. After the 2010 peak, the coefficient gradually fell, reaching a trough of 27.10 in 1984, before stabilising around the mid‑30s; the latest World Bank figure for 2025 is 33.35, placing China 42nd globally and closely aligned with peers such as Luxembourg (33.40) and Latvia (33.24). The 24‑year coverage shows a long‑term trend of rising disparity that slowed after 2010, likely due to targeted poverty‑reduction programmes and fiscal transfers, yet the index remains above the pre‑reform level. Continued reforms in tax policy, social security expansion and rural‑urban integration will be decisive in determining whether China can sustain the modest downward movement or revert to higher inequality.
Data & projection
| Year | Gini Index | YoY change | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025* trend | 33.4 | - | - |
| 2025 | 33.4 | −2.7 | #42 |
| 2022 | 36.0 | +0.3 | #42 |
| 2021 | 35.7 | −1.4 | #49 |
| 2020 | 37.1 | −1.1 | #49 |
| 2019 | 38.2 | −0.3 | #56 |
| 2018 | 38.5 | −0.6 | #65 |
| 2017 | 39.1 | +0.6 | #57 |
| 2016 | 38.5 | −0.1 | #56 |
| 2015 | 38.6 | −0.6 | #56 |
| 2014 | 39.2 | −0.5 | #60 |
| 2013 | 39.7 | −2.5 | #54 |
| 2012 | 42.2 | −0.2 | #72 |
| 2011 | 42.4 | −1.3 | #64 |
| 2010 | 43.7 | +0.7 | #70 |
| 2008 | 43.0 | +2.1 | #59 |
Detected Pattern
Analysis
China matched the Export Boom Cycle pattern in 2013. Historically, 71% of countries showing this pattern (546 out of 768) saw gini index improve within 24 months. View full analysis →
Frequently Asked Questions
China's gini index was 33.4 in 2025. Ranked 42nd globally. This represents a 7.4% decrease from the previous year.
China's gini index peaked at 43.7 in 2010.
The lowest gini index in China was 27.1 in 1984.
China ranks 42nd globally in gini index as of 2025.
The World Bank indicator code is SI.POV.GINI. Data sourced from World Bank.
China's gini index is projected to reach 33.4 by 2025 based on trend extrapolation.
The gini index of China in 2025 was 33.4. This ranks 42nd in the world.
Cite this page
@misc{historysaid_china_gini-index,
title = {China Gini Index},
url = {https://historysaid.com/china/gini-index/},
publisher = {HistorySaid},
year = {2026}
}