Reported Social Unrest Index in China
China: Reported Social Unrest Index was 91.37 in 2026. ◆ Volatile
Reported Social Unrest Index in China, 1990–2026
Source: International Monetary Fund.
Analysis
China recorded 91.37 for reported social unrest index in 2026.
That represents a change of down 34.9% on the previous year and down 26.7% over ten years.
Over the whole period, reported social unrest index in China peaked at 450.39 in 2022 and was at its lowest, 2.7, in 1990.
China ranks 40th of 133 countries on this measure, in the middle of the range.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
Reported Social Unrest Index in China, year by year
| Year | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1990 | 2.7 | — |
| 1991 | 11.38 | +321.3% |
| 1992 | 2.89 | -74.6% |
| 1993 | 44.48 | +1438.5% |
| 1994 | 18.35 | -58.7% |
| 1995 | 75.09 | +309.2% |
| 1996 | 90.11 | +20.0% |
| 1997 | 17.46 | -80.6% |
| 1998 | 65.31 | +274.2% |
| 1999 | 48.89 | -25.1% |
| 2000 | 52.89 | +8.2% |
| 2001 | 25.23 | -52.3% |
| 2002 | 62.59 | +148.0% |
| 2003 | 41.26 | -34.1% |
| 2004 | 36.74 | -11.0% |
| 2005 | 123.94 | +237.4% |
| 2006 | 56.13 | -54.7% |
| 2007 | 52.68 | -6.1% |
| 2008 | 63.78 | +21.1% |
| 2009 | 94.13 | +47.6% |
| 2010 | 55.93 | -40.6% |
| 2011 | 252.33 | +351.1% |
| 2012 | 104.07 | -58.8% |
| 2013 | 7.63 | -92.7% |
| 2014 | 270.25 | +3442.4% |
| 2015 | 84.55 | -68.7% |
| 2016 | 124.67 | +47.5% |
| 2017 | 71.39 | -42.7% |
| 2018 | 100.24 | +40.4% |
| 2019 | 434.86 | +333.8% |
| 2020 | 236.48 | -45.6% |
| 2021 | 243.46 | +2.9% |
| 2022 | 450.39 | +85.0% |
| 2023 | 134.06 | -70.2% |
| 2024 | 47.02 | -64.9% |
| 2025 | 140.28 | +198.3% |
| 2026 | 91.37 | -34.9% |
China compared with similar countries
- China's 91.37 is above the median for upper middle income countries, which is 25.34, 3.6× the median. (35 countries reporting)
Biggest year-on-year movements
Years where Reported Social Unrest Index in China changed far more than this series normally does. A large move can be a real event or a change in how the figure was measured — the source note below says who published it.
| Year | Change | From | To |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2014 | +3442.4% | 7.63 | 270.25 |
| 1993 | +1438.5% | 2.89 | 44.48 |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1990s | 37.67 | 2.7 | 90.11 | 10 |
| 2000s | 60.94 | 25.23 | 123.94 | 10 |
| 2010s | 150.59 | 7.63 | 434.86 | 10 |
| 2020s | 191.87 | 47.02 | 450.39 | 7 |
Countries ranked near China
More economy & growth data for China
- Africa's Development Dynamics (AfDD) Table 04 - Annual real GDP 3.46 Percent per annum (2029)
- Africa's Development Dynamics (AfDD) Table 02 - Annual real GDP 3.31 Percent per annum (2029)
- IMF holdings of currency, SDR, annual growth rate -2.96 % change on previous year (2025)
- IMF holdings of currency, SDR, per unit of GDP 0.0011 units per US$ of GDP (2025)
- IMF holdings of currency, SDR, per capita 15.87 units per person (2025)
- Lending to the IMF (GRA), SDR, per capita 0 units per person (2025)
- SDR Allocation, US dollar, annual growth rate 5.01 % change on previous year (2025)
- SDR Allocation, US dollar, per unit of GDP 0.0025 units per US$ of GDP (2025)
- SDR Allocation, US dollar, per capita 35.25 units per person (2025)
- SDR Allocation, SDR, annual growth rate 0 % change on previous year (2025)
Frequently asked questions
- What is reported social unrest index in China?
- Reported social unrest index in China was 91.37 in 2026, according to International Monetary Fund.
- What is the highest reported social unrest index recorded in China?
- The highest recorded value was 450.39 in 2022.
- What is the lowest reported social unrest index recorded in China?
- The lowest recorded value was 2.7 in 1990.
- How does China rank for reported social unrest index?
- China ranks 40th out of 133 countries with data for 2026.
- Is reported social unrest index rising or falling in China?
- Over the last ten years it is down 26.7%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this China data come from?
- The figures come from International Monetary Fund, published as part of Reported Social Unrest Index. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
Download this data
CSV · JSON — 37 observations, free to reuse under IMF Terms and Conditions (attribution required).
About this data
This dataset provides two measures of social unrest derived from media reports. One is the “A” index from the paper, and the “events” series. Suggested citation: "Barrett, P., Appendino, M., Nguyen, K., & de Leon Miranda, J. (2022). Measuring social unrest using media reports. Journal of Development Economics, 158, 102924." Note: some sources mis-label China and Hong Kong SAR. Series which explicitly adjust for this are available on request from the authors.