Animal protein consumption in China
China: Animal protein consumption was 10.4 grams of protein per day per capita in 2023. ◆ Volatile
Animal protein consumption in China, 1961–2023
Source: Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (2025) – processed by Our World in Data. Measured in grams of protein per day per capita.
Analysis
China recorded 10.4 grams of protein per day per capita for animal protein consumption in 2023. That is the highest value across all 63 years on record.
Compared with earlier readings it is up 0.2% on the previous year and up 17.9% over ten years.
Over the whole period, animal protein consumption in China peaked at 10.4 grams of protein per day per capita in 2023 and was at its lowest, 1.11 grams of protein per day per capita, in 1961.
China ranks 25th of 191 countries on this measure, in the top quarter.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1960s | 1.45 grams of protein per day per capita | 1.11 grams of protein per day per capita | 1.57 grams of protein per day per capita | 9 |
| 1970s | 1.37 grams of protein per day per capita | 1.14 grams of protein per day per capita | 1.65 grams of protein per day per capita | 10 |
| 1980s | 1.68 grams of protein per day per capita | 1.14 grams of protein per day per capita | 2.46 grams of protein per day per capita | 10 |
| 1990s | 4.19 grams of protein per day per capita | 2.56 grams of protein per day per capita | 5.56 grams of protein per day per capita | 10 |
| 2000s | 6.51 grams of protein per day per capita | 5.65 grams of protein per day per capita | 7.75 grams of protein per day per capita | 10 |
| 2010s | 9.2 grams of protein per day per capita | 8.17 grams of protein per day per capita | 10.16 grams of protein per day per capita | 10 |
| 2020s | 10.36 grams of protein per day per capita | 10.27 grams of protein per day per capita | 10.4 grams of protein per day per capita | 4 |
Countries ranked near China
- 22 Bermuda 11.79 grams of protein per day per capita compare
- 23 Vietnam 11.12 grams of protein per day per capita compare
- 24 Spain 10.55 grams of protein per day per capita compare
- 26 Solomon Islands 10.08 grams of protein per day per capita compare
- 27 Thailand 9.62 grams of protein per day per capita compare
- 28 Saint Kitts and Nevis 9.56 grams of protein per day per capita compare
More economy & growth data for China
- External balance on goods and services as a percent of GDP 4.2% (2025)
- Inflation of consumer prices 0.1% (2025)
- GDP per capita 13,793 constant 2015 US$ (2025)
- Share of manufacturing in gross domestic product (GDP) 24.7% (2025)
- Gross domestic product (GDP) 19.40 trillion constant 2015 US$ (2025)
- GDP per capita in international and market dollars 13,793 constant 2015 US$ (2025)
- DEC alternative conversion factor 7.19 LCU per US$ (2025)
- Net secondary income (Net current transfers from abroad) 157.71 billion current LCU (2025)
- Net secondary income (Net current transfers from abroad) 21.94 billion current US$ (2025)
- Net primary income (Net income from abroad) -817.92 billion current LCU (2025)
Frequently asked questions
- What is animal protein consumption in China?
- Animal protein consumption in China was 10.4 grams of protein per day per capita in 2023, according to Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (2025) – processed by Our World in Data.
- What is the highest animal protein consumption recorded in China?
- The highest recorded value was 10.4 grams of protein per day per capita in 2023.
- What is the lowest animal protein consumption recorded in China?
- The lowest recorded value was 1.11 grams of protein per day per capita in 1961.
- How does China rank for animal protein consumption?
- China ranks 25th out of 191 countries with data for 2023.
- Is animal protein consumption rising or falling in China?
- Over the last ten years it is up 17.9%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this China data come from?
- The figures come from Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (2025) – processed by Our World in Data, published as part of Animal protein consumption. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
Download this data
CSV · JSON — 63 observations, free to reuse under CC BY 4.0 (Our World in Data).
About this data
Quantity that is available for consumption at the end of the supply chain. It does not account for consumer waste, so the quantity that is actually consumed may be lower.