ObjectiveTo systematically review the status of 3 types of delay (patient delay, diagnostic delay and treatment delay) among tuberculosis (TB) patients in China, to determine their associations with economic factors, and to provide guidance for policies regarding TB control. MethodsThe CNKI, WanFang Data, VIP, PubMed, ScienceDirect and Web of Science databases were searched from January 1st, 2001, to December 31st, 2021, for cross-sectional studies related to the 3 types of delay among TB patients in China. Two reviewers independently screened the literature, extracted data and assessed the risk of bias of the included studies. Meta-analysis was then performed using R 4.1.3 software. ResultsA total of 22 cross-sectional studies involving 9 498 patients were included. The results of the meta-analysis showed that the pooled rates of patient delay, diagnostic delay and treatment delay were 41% (95% CI 34% to 48%), 36% (95% CI 28% to 45%) and 18% (95% CI 10% to 32%), respectively. Family economic status was significantly associated with patient delay (OR=1.32, 95% CI 1.06 to 1.64, P=0.01), diagnostic delay (OR=1.55, 95% CI 1.21 to 1.97, P<0.01) and treatment delay (OR=1.60, 95% CI 0.98 to 2.60, P=0.05). Conclusion The rates of the 3 types of delay in Chinese TB patients are high, and all 3 types of delay are significantly associated with poor family economic status among the patients. Measures should be taken to reduce the incidence of the various types of delays due to the financial burden that is imposed on TB patients.