ObjectiveTo systematically review the prevalence rate of gestational diabetes mellitus in Chinese population.MethodsPubMed, EMbase, The Cochrane Library, CNKI, WanFang Data and VIP databases were electronically searched to collect relevant literature of the prevalence rate of gestational diabetes in Chinese population from inception to October 2017. Two reviewers independently screened literature, extracted data and assessed the risk of bias of included studies, then, meta-analysis was performed by using R 3.4.1 software.ResultsA total of 27 studies were included involving 183 338 peoples, of whom 23 834 were diagnosed as gestational diabetes mellitus by oral glucose tolerance test (75g). The prevalence rate was 13% (95%CI 10 to 16). The prevalence rate of gestational diabetes mellitus in north area was 13% (95%CI 9 to 19), central area was 11% (95%CI 2 to 39), east area was 15% (95%CI 12 to 19), south area was 12% (95%CI 11 to 14), northwest area was 5% (95%CI 3 to 8) and southwest area was 4% (95%CI 3 to 4). The prevalence rate of gestational diabetes mellitus during January 2005 to December 2012 was 11% (95%CI 7 to 16), during December 2012 to June 2016 was 17% (95%CI 14 to 20). The prevalence of specialist hospitals was 9% (95%CI 6 to 14), and which of comprehensive hospital was 14% (95%CI 11 to 18). The prevalence of gestational diabetes screening at 24 to 28 weeks gestation remained at 13% (95%CI 10 to 17).ConclusionThe prevalence rate of gestational diabetes mellitus is high in China. The prevalence rate of gestational diabetes mellitus in north China, central China and east China is significantly higher than that in southern China, northwest China and southwest China. The prevalence rate during 2012-2016 is significantly higher than that in 2005 to 2012. Improvement of lifestyle and living standard should be considered be closely related with that. The prevalence of comprehensive hospitals is higher than specialist hospitals. It is related to the China’s economic conditions, medical care situations and the medical habits of patients.