| Reference date | 1 November 2000 |
|---|---|
| Mainland census population | 1,265.83 million |
| Population in family households | 1,198.39 million |
| Average family-household size | 3.44 people |
| Han share of mainland census population | 91.59% |
| Minority-group share | 8.41% |
| Urban share | 36.09% |
| Rural share | 63.91% |
Scope of the figures
The National Bureau of Statistics communiqué reported a total of 1,295.33 million for its broad China total, which included separate figures for the mainland, Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan under the definitions printed in the release. The table here uses the mainland census figure so its household, ethnic-composition and urban-rural measures share one scope.
These were described as preliminary results when released. The figures should be cited with their reference date and coverage, not blended with later censuses. A rounded “1.2 billion” may suit a period summary, but the source’s exact definitions are more informative.
Language and cultural description
Standard Chinese, based on Mandarin, has a central role in national education and public communication. Sinitic language groups also include Yue, Wu, Min, Hakka, Gan and Xiang. Minority communities speak languages from several language families. Written Chinese connects many readers whose spoken forms may differ substantially.
Culture cannot be reduced to a census fact. Confucian, Taoist, Buddhist, Islamic, Christian, local and secular traditions have all shaped communities, and participation does not fit neatly into exclusive labels. The arts, religions and minority pages provide the context that a compact table cannot.
Why a dated fact sheet matters
Population, household size, education and urbanization change. Presenting a historical figure without its year can turn a useful record into misinformation. This page therefore labels its late-1990s and 2000-era figures explicitly, keeping the time boundary visible.
For newer comparisons, readers should consult later releases directly and check whether scope and definitions remain compatible. The goal here is not to simulate live statistics, but to show what a carefully labeled period profile looks like.
Sources & further reading
- official communiqué on the 2000 census — All figures in the table