Chinese Communist Party Membership Soars: Surpassing 100 Million Milestone?

Last year, membership in the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) grew by 1.2% over the previous year, putting it on track to exceed 100 million members by year-end. There are high expectations for new economic policies to stabilize China’s uncertain financial landscape, which will be discussed at the 3rd Plenary Session of the Central Committee of the CCP, scheduled from the 15th to the 18th of next month. Despite numerous challenges, the CCP’s hold on power remains strong.

According to the state-run Xinhua News Agency, the Central Organization Department of the CCP announced that the number of party members as of December 31 last year was 99,185,000, an increase of 1,144,000 (1.2%) compared to the end of 2022.

Although the growth rate of party members was slightly lower than 1.4% in 2022, predictions indicate that if the growth rate is in the 1% range this year, it is highly likely to exceed 100 million within the year.

Women make up 30.4% of the party members (3,185,000), and ethnic minority party members make up 7.7%(7,592,000). Party members with a degree from a professional college or higher accounted for 56.2% of the total (55,786,000).

By age, 12.5% were under 30, 11.3% were 31-35, 11.0% were 36-40, 9.5% were 41-45, 9.1% were 46-50, 9.5% were 51-55, 9.0% were 56-60, and 28.1% were 61 and over.

By occupation, 6.7% were workers, 26.3% were engaged in agriculture, livestock, and fisheries, 16.3% were professional technical staff in enterprises, state agencies, and social organizations, 11.5% were management staff in enterprises, state agencies, and social organizations, 7.7% were party and government agency workers, and 2.8% were students.

The number of grassroots organizations, the party’s smallest unit, increased by 111,000 from the previous year to 5,176,000.

Xinhua News Agency emphasized the importance of these grassroots organizations, stating that the CCP strengthens its foundation of the party centered on grassroots organizations, which play a crucial role in maintaining the party’s vitality and strong combat power.