Objectives: To develop the EQ-5D-5L (5L) population norms for China; and to assess the relationship between various factors and 5L data.

Methods: The study used data derived from the Psychology and Behavior Investigation of Chinese Residents, a national sample survey of 21,909 representative participants aged 12 years and above. Participants' health-related quality of life (HRQoL) was measured by the 5L. Their socioeconomic characteristics, behavioral factors, and health conditions were also obtained from the survey. Norm scores were generated and compared for different socioeconomic variables. Multiple linear and logistic regressions were used to assess the relationships of the three kinds of variables with the 5L utility, visual analogue scale (VAS) scores and 5L health problems.

Results: The mean (SD) age of participants was 39.4 (18.9) years, and 50.0% of the participants were female. The mean (SD) utility and VAS scores were 0.940 (0.138) and 73.4 (21.6), respectively. Participants reported considerably more problems in anxiety/depression (26.2%) and pain/discomfort (22.2%) dimensions. The gender difference in HRQoL is attenuated. The participants older than 75 years suffered from a sharp decline in HRQoL; the participants in Shanghai and Tibet provinces reported lower utility and VAS scores and more health problems. Those who were younger, with better socioeconomic status and healthier lifestyles, and without diseases tended to report higher utility and VAS scores and fewer health problems.

Conclusions: The study derived the 5L population norms for China based on a representative population sample.