Compare countries · China vs Germany
China vs Germany
Across 13 comparable indicators: China leads on 4, Germany on 9. Which trade-offs matter is yours to weigh; the rows below show where each country wins, with sources.
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Cost of living index
Numbeo 2026 (NYC = 100)
China
30.5
Better than 79% of countries
Germany
68.7
Worse than 89% of countries
China: 56% cheaper overall.
Rent index
Numbeo 2026 (NYC = 100)
China
10.4
Better than 73% of countries
Germany
24.6
Worse than 80% of countries
China: 58% cheaper rents.
Peace — Global Peace Index
Institute for Economics & Peace (lower = more peaceful)
China
2.01
Around the global middle
Germany
1.48
Better than 89% of countries
Germany: more peaceful (1.48 vs 2.01).
Perceived street safety
Numbeo Safety Index 2026
China
76.9
Better than 93% of countries
Germany
61.6
Better than 64% of countries
China: higher perceived safety (76.9 vs 61.6).
Human Development Index
UNDP Human Development Report
China
0.788
Better than 61% of countries
Germany
0.950
Better than 96% of countries
Germany: higher human development (0.950 vs 0.788).
GDP per person (PPP)
World Bank · 2025
China
$29,333
Better than 61% of countries
Germany
$75,407
Better than 90% of countries
Germany: 157% higher income per person.
Life expectancy
World Bank · 2024
China
78.0 yrs
Better than 71% of countries
Germany
80.8 yrs
Better than 79% of countries
Germany: 2.8 years longer on average.
Healthcare index
Numbeo Healthcare Index 2026
China
69.2
Better than 68% of countries
Germany
72.4
Better than 79% of countries
Germany: better-rated healthcare (72.4 vs 69.2).
Fixed broadband speed
Ookla Speedtest Global Index
China
212 Mbps
Better than 82% of countries
Germany
103 Mbps
Better than 58% of countries
China: 106% faster fixed internet.
Press freedom
RSF World Press Freedom Index
China
14/100
Worse than 99% of countries
Germany
82/100
Better than 92% of countries
Germany: freer press (82 vs 14 of 100).
Happiness
World Happiness Report (Cantril ladder 0–10)
China
6.07
Better than 56% of countries
Germany
6.88
Better than 89% of countries
Germany: happier on the Cantril ladder (6.88 vs 6.07).
English proficiency
EF English Proficiency Index
China
464
Worse than 74% of countries
Germany
615
Better than 91% of countries
Germany: stronger English proficiency (615 vs 464).
Climate pleasantness
Numbeo Climate Index 2026
China
74.4
Worse than 63% of countries
Germany
82.9
Better than 57% of countries
Germany: more pleasant climate rating (82.9 vs 74.4).
Quick answers
Is China cheaper than Germany?
Numbeo's 2026 cost-of-living index (NYC = 100) puts China at 30.5 and Germany at 68.7. China is about 56% cheaper overall.
Is China or Germany safer?
On the Global Peace Index (lower = more peaceful), China scores 2.01 and Germany scores 1.48. Germany ranks as the more peaceful of the two.
Which has the higher quality of life, China or Germany?
On the UN Human Development Index, China scores 0.788 and Germany scores 0.950. Germany scores higher on this composite of income, health and education. Single indexes hide trade-offs; the full comparison above shows where each country wins.
Deciding between China and Germany for real?
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