Share of electricity generation from hydropower in China
China: Share of electricity generation from hydropower was 13.2% in 2025. ▼ Falling
Share of electricity generation from hydropower in China, 1985–2025
Source: Ember (2026) and other sources – with major processing by Our World in Data. Measured in %.
Analysis
The most recent figure for share of electricity generation from hydropower in China is 13.2%, measured in 2025.
Compared with earlier readings it is down 1.7% on the previous year and down 31.1% over ten years.
Over the whole period, share of electricity generation from hydropower in China peaked at 22.5% in 1985 and was at its lowest, 13.0%, in 2023.
China ranks 95th of 213 countries on this measure, in the middle of the range.
The long-run direction has been consistently falling across the 41 years of available data.
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1980s | 20.8% | 20.0% | 22.5% | 5 |
| 1990s | 17.9% | 15.9% | 20.4% | 10 |
| 2000s | 16.4% | 14.8% | 18.7% | 10 |
| 2010s | 17.3% | 14.6% | 19.2% | 10 |
| 2020s | 14.4% | 13.0% | 17.0% | 6 |
Countries ranked near China
More energy & mining data for China
- Fuel imports 20.4% (2024)
- Ores and metals imports 15.1% (2024)
- Ores and metals exports 1.5% (2024)
- Gas production 2,641 terawatt-hours (2025)
- Fossil fuel production per person, by fuel 1,865 kilowatt-hours per person (2025)
- Fossil fuel production by fuel 2,641 terawatt-hours (2025)
- Gas production per person 1,865 kilowatt-hours per person (2025)
- Fuel exports 1.5% (2024)
- Electric power transmission and distribution losses 3.4% (2023)
- Share of dietary energy supply from carbohydrates vs. GDP per capita 59.5% (2023)
Frequently asked questions
- What is share of electricity generation from hydropower in China?
- Share of electricity generation from hydropower in China was 13.2% in 2025, according to Ember (2026) and other sources – with major processing by Our World in Data.
- What is the highest share of electricity generation from hydropower recorded in China?
- The highest recorded value was 22.5% in 1985.
- What is the lowest share of electricity generation from hydropower recorded in China?
- The lowest recorded value was 13.0% in 2023.
- How does China rank for share of electricity generation from hydropower?
- China ranks 95th out of 213 countries with data for 2025.
- Is share of electricity generation from hydropower rising or falling in China?
- Over the last ten years it is down 31.1%. The long-run trend across the full record is falling.
- Where does this China data come from?
- The figures come from Ember (2026) and other sources – with major processing by Our World in Data, published as part of Share of electricity generation from hydropower. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
Download this data
CSV · JSON — 41 observations, free to reuse under CC BY 4.0 (Our World in Data).
About this data
Measured as a percentage of total electricity produced in the country or region.